BEDFORD, Mass. – September 17, 2002

State of Maryland Chooses Kurzweil Educational Software to Support Students with Learning Disabilities

Kurzweil 3000 Gives Students Equal Opportunity to Excel in State-Mandated High School Assessment Tests

Kurzweil Educational Systems, innovator of reading technology products for individuals with learning and visual disabilities, today announced that the State of Maryland’s Department of Education has chosen to use Kurzweil 3000 for students who require auditory accommodations to take state-mandated high school assessment tests. Schools and school districts across the state began using Kurzweil 3000 with the start of the 2002-2003 academic year.

Kurzweil 3000 is widely recognized as the most comprehensive and integrated software solution for addressing the needs of individuals with learning and literacy difficulties. The product includes distinctive test-taking and study-skill features designed to accommodate different learning styles and minimize frustration for both students and educators. Kurzweil 3000 not only helps students read and write, it also enhances overall comprehension and the learning experience.

“Kurzweil 3000 levels the playing field for students with reading and writing disabilities,” said Kurzweil Educational Systems President and CEO, Michael Sokol. “New standardized test requirements put added pressure on students with learning disabilities, but with innovative technology like Kurzweil 3000 these students have an equal chance of making the grade on the test,” added Sokol.

"As the number of students in a typical classroom with mild to severe learning difficulties continues to grow, teachers and administrators know that providing accommodations for reading and writing is a significant step toward reaching school, district and state goals on standardized tests,” said Moira Williams, Founder of Envision Technology, Inc. Envision evaluates and promotes assistive technology and training services for individuals with learning disabilities in the Washington, DC area and is a reseller of Kurzweil Educational products. “Kurzweil 3000 is designed to bring out the best in each student, providing them an equal opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the subject matter - independent of teacher intervention," continued Williams.

About Kurzweil 3000

Using a multisensory approach, Kurzweil 3000 presents print or electronic text on a computer screen with added visual and audible accessibility. Unique test-taking advantages of the product give students both increased independence and an increased sense of inclusion in their class. With Kurzweil 3000, students can fill in the blanks directly on the electronic image of a worksheet or test while using other features, as the test-taking situation allows, such as audible spell checking and word prediction to help them write. Teachers therefore spend less time on student intervention and administration, and more time on instruction.

In addition, powerful study skill tools like on-screen color markers, annotation notes, sticky notes, voice notes and bookmarks make the learning process more systematic and personalized. With an array of new features, the latest version of Kurzweil 3000 empowers students to take control over their reading difficulties, and teachers to provide the most effective instruction.

About Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.

Kurzweil Educational Systems, founded in 1996, is the industry leader and innovator of scanning, reading and writing solutions for people with learning disabilities, and people who are blind or visually impaired. Ray Kurzweil, a co-founder of the original company, invented computer-based reading machine technology 25 years ago to provide access to printed text for the blind. With a pioneering history in developing assistive technology, the company has received worldwide recognition for enabling people with disabilities to lead more independent lives through improved reading and writing abilities. Kurzweil 3000, the company's flagship product for individuals with reading and writing disabilities, recently won the "District's Choice Top 100 Product" 2002 Award published by the District Administration magazine. For more company or product information, visit www.kurzweiledu.com.

For sales inquiries in the Washington D.C. area please contact Envision Technology, Inc. at (301) 654-3568.

Kurzweil 1000 and Kurzweil 3000 are trademarks and Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. is a registered trademark of Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. Other company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Contact

Collaborative Insight, Inc.

Hepzi Fonseca
617-520-9107
fonseca@collaborative.com

Paula Charest
617-520-9135
charest@collaborative.com