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History

Anyone who has known Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. since its founding in 1996 understands that the company is actually the product of a multi-decade commitment by its management to assist people with learning difficulties, and those who are blind or visually impaired.

Our skill and experience in the area of assistive technology were well-established by the time the company began. In fact, some of our management were associated with the development and introduction of the world's very first reading system, the Kurzweil Reading Machine, back in 1976.

The Kurzweil Reading Machine was the brainchild of a remarkable inventor named Ray Kurzweil, whose other inventions include the first omni-font optical character recognition, the first CCD flat-bed scanner and the first text-to-speech synthesizer. Each of those innovations continues to play an important role in the assistive technology products of today.

A number of us were part of successor assistive technology companies that built upon Kurzweil innovations. It is this core group of individuals who conceived and created the company in 1996, and who continue to serve as members of the senior staff.

Most recently, Kurzweil Educational Systems was acquired by Cambium Learning, Inc., an education company founded on the belief that all students, including at-risk, economically disadvantaged and special student populations can achieve at a high level. Other Cambium Learning companies include Sopris West Educational Services and Metropolitan Teaching and Learning, both nationally recognized leaders in education as well.

Today, Kurzweil Educational Systems is a vital, growing company widely recognized as a leader and innovator in the assistive technology industry. As we were from day one, we remain passionately committed to the process of opening up a world of knowledge to people who struggle with the printed page.