November 2024 Student Of The Month

The Freedom Scientific Student of the Month Program features K-12 students living in the U.S. who are blind or visually impaired and use Freedom Scientific technology to achieve educational goals. The Student of the Month for November 2024 is Oscar, a sophomore from Missouri.

Oscar began using JAWS in 2019 when he got his first computer. “I wanted to know how things work and what keyboard commands did, so I started learning JAWS.”

Oscar also uses a Focus 40 refreshable braille display. “I use JAWS and braille to complete classwork both in and out of the classroom,” he explains.

Oscar’s favorite subject in school is computer science. “I have been coding for about one and a half years, which is something I would not be able to do without JAWS,” he says. “I primarily use the Python programming language to create games and small projects.”

After graduating, Oscar plans to attend college and become a software engineer. He is taking part in the Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adapted Living Resource program (S.O.A.R.), an accelerated residential program for youths between 16 and 21 who are legally blind and seeking independent living skills. S.O.A.R. helps with money management, travel, home maintenance, and career preparation.

In his spare time, Oscar enjoys playing the piano and rock climbing. He also creates sound design projects, which consist of sound effect libraries that can be used in games, commercials, and movies.

Learn more about Oscar in this video.

Nominate a Student

Complete our nomination form to self-nominate or nominate a student. Visit the Freedom Scientific Student of the Month page for details and watch our blog in December for the next winner and that student’s story.

Winners receive a $300 Amazon gift card and a five-year license for JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion. Their story will be featured by Freedom Scientific on our blog and social media—Threads, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

In partnership with Computers for the Blind, each winner can also receive a free, refurbished computer along with a free one-year Home Annual license of JAWS or ZoomText, which is already installed. Learn more about Computers for the Blind and their partnership with Freedom Scientific on their order page. Have questions? Send an email to training@vispero.com.