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 December 2023 is Willow, a fifth grader from Indiana.
Willow began learning keyboarding in first grade and has been using JAWS for two years. “I use it in Microsoft Word and am learning how to use it on the web. I like JAWS because it helps me do my schoolwork a bit more fluently with my sighted peers so I can turn it in faster.”
When not in school, Willow enjoys playing with her five cats and playing games like Minecraft and Mario Kart. “Also, I like hanging out with friends and have as many sleepovers as possible,” she says.
She is enthusiastic about everything that interests her. Willow’s favorite subject in school is music. “I recently got a piano and take music in school three times a week,” she explains.
In addition, Willow plays percussion instruments like the vibraslap and drums. “When I get to be of age, I hope I become a music producer or music composer,” she says. “I see myself in the future making music as a hobby or maybe joining a band.”
Willow says she has never seen her blindness as a disability, but rather as a condition. She advises people who are blind to learn JAWS so they can navigate the computer and complete tasks like creating documents and sending email. “I think it’s very important that we learn it early so in the future, we’ll know it and we won’t be stuck behind. So, to anyone who has any type of condition, you’re going to do amazing things in this world.”
Learn more about Willow 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.
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: X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Mastodon, and Instagram.
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.