IT Accessibility

Kurzweil 3000

The Program

Kurzweil 3000 is desktop literacy software featuring reading, writing, and study tools. Students who have Alternative Text Format Accommodation are provided with this text-to-speech resource.  The software is also available to all MU faculty, staff, and students.

Features

  • Read text aloud (text-to-speech) to help improve reading retention and comprehension.
  • Organize outlines to enhance the writing experience using brainstorming templates.
  • Create study guides or audio files with highlighters, notes, and dictionaries.

Kurzweil also features a “Read the Web” extension, an online web application for Chrome, Firefox and Edge.

Schedule a Meeting

A meeting with the IT Accessibility Center about Kurzweil 3000 is highly recommended for students with the Alternative Text Format accommodation. The meeting includes a demonstration of Kurzweil’s reading and writing features as well as ideas on how to use the program and with what type of materials. Meetings can be scheduled on Zoom or in person and they are an excellent opportunity for students (and parents) to ask questions, especially those who are new to Mizzou.

To schedule a meeting with the IT Accessibility Center, email itaccessibilitycenter@missouri.edu or Jennifer Thornhill at thornhillj@missouri.edu.

Download Instructions

  1. Go to Welcome to Kurzweil 3000.
  2. Log in to Microsoft with your Mizzou umsystem.edu email address and password
  3. An email will be sent to your MU account with information about how to download the Kurzweil program.
  4. Download the link according to the type of computer you are using (Macintosh, Windows, etc.)
  5. Once you have downloaded the software, log in to the software with the username and password you set up for Kurzweil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use Kurzweil on my mobile device?
A. Yes, Kurzweil 3000 can be used on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets.

Q. What format does Kurzweil open?
A. Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF (.pdf), EPUB (.epub) and HTML (.html or htm).

Q. Can Kurzweil open a scanned PDF?
A. A scanned-in PDF can be read aloud with Kurzweil.

Q. Can I change the voice in Kurzweil?
A. Yes, the different voice options (i.e. female or male) and speed of reading (faster or slower) can be changed.

Q. What is the most used study tool?
A. The highlighting tools are the most used. Highlight specific sentences or sections and create a study guide.

Q. Can Kurzweil read different languages?
A. It can read English, French, and Spanish.

Q. Can I contact Kurzweil for help?
A. Kurzweil provides Kurzweil Academy for any questions about the program.

For more information on Kurzweil 3000, please contact the IT Accessibility Center at itaccessibilitycenter@missouri.edu.