Scott is an avid programmer. He fell in love with programming around the age of 13 and began teaching himself various programming languages. Often, when we went in to tuck him in at night, he would be reading some three-inch thick book about Python or C++ or some other language. He currently knows 20+ languages, all of which he taught himself.
Although Scott would be a programmer even if he didn’t have hearing or neuromuscular issues, programming can be refuge for him. He doesn’t have to have acute hearing, doesn’t have to struggle to communicate, doesn’t need to be able to run or even walk well. He’s taught himself how to use the keyboard primarily with his right hand since the movements with his left hand are slow and unpredictable. Even so, he can type faster than most of us with two good hands. In the online community of forums, where Scott often gives advice or assists other members with their programming problems, his physical issues are non-existent. In the world of computers, he feels strong and nimble and free.
Scott’s programming projects include those he has done to fulfill school assignments, for fun, and for real-word applications.
School assignments include:
- Etch-A-Sketch emulator
- Asteroids game
- Black Jack game
- Destroy My Computer game
Recreational projects include:
- Game server emulator
- Specialized calculators
Professional-level projects include:
- Implementation of state-mandated evaluation site for our local school district (more details here)
- Order-taking system for our local YMCA
- Website for former teacher
- This website and its previous incarnation, which he created with HTML
Paid, professional work includes co-ops that are required by RIT’s software engineering program:
- Three summers working at ANSYS as a software engineering intern. ANSYS develops engineering simulation software.
- One semester working for the Student Information Technology Office (SITO) at RIT.
Read more about Scott’s co-op experiences here.