Benjamin Eugene Key’s Resume

Summary

I am a dedicated, self-motivated, and self-taught Software Engineer with demonstrated success in the design and development of Assistive Technology applications for Microsoft Windows operating systems. I have twenty six years of experience in developing software using C++ and a deep understanding of using object-oriented design principles. In addition I have proven problem-solving skills and proven ability to acquire knowledge about new concepts independently in a short amount of time.

Qualifications

Programming Languages

• C
• C++
• C#
• Lisp
• JavaScript
• Python
• JAWS Scripting Language

Shell Scripting Languages

• Bash
• PowerShell
• Windows Batch

Build Systems

• CMake
• GNU Make
• MSBuild
• NAnt

Version Control Systems

• Git
• Perforce
• Subversion

Markup Languages

• HTML
• Markdown

APIs, Frameworks, and Libraries

• Windows API (Windows Application Programming Interface)
• MSAA (Microsoft Active Accessibility)
• Microsoft UI Automation (UIA)
• IAccessible2
• STL (Standard Template Library)
• MFC (Microsoft Foundation Class Library)
• ATL (Active Template Library)
• WTL (Windows Template Library)
• Boost C++ Libraries
• COM (Component Object Model)
• Microsoft SAPI (Speech Application Programming Interface) 4
• Microsoft SAPI 5
• Microsoft Speech Platform 11

Applications

• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Eclipse
• CLion
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome

Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows
• GNU/Linux
• macOS
• FreeBSD
• Solaris
• iOS
• Android

Other Skills

• WiX Toolset
• Debugging and trouble shooting
• Remote debugging using the Visual Studio remote debugger
• Windows Hooks via the Windows API function SetWindowsHookEx
• MSAA Event Hooks the Windows API function SetWinEventHook

Experience

Software Engineer

• Contributed to the development of JAWS, JAWS Inspect, Fusion, and ZoomText as part of a Scrum team.
• Major Accomplishments
  • Ported libnumbertext to Visual Studio and implemented the International Number Processing Improvements feature of JAWS 2025.2505.43 using libnumbertext.
  • Assisted with updating the installers for JAWS, JAWS Inspect, Fusion, and ZoomText to use WiX Toolset v5, previously the installers used WiX Toolset v3.

Software Engineer

• Lead developer of JAWS Inspect.
• Updated the JAWS Inspect browser extension to Manifest V3.
  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
• Contributed to the development of JAWS and other Vispero products, with a focus on implementing features requested by and fixing bugs reported by enterprise customers of Vispero including Cerner, Morgan Stanley, and Nuance.
• JAWS Scripting for enterprise customers of Vispero.
• Provided guidance on adding accessibility features to products.
  • Foxit Software PhantomPDF
  • Nuance Power PDF
• WCAG Testing

Software Engineer

Used my knowledge of C++, Object Oriented Programming techniques, Microsoft Windows Internals, Win32 API, STL, MFC, ATL, WTL, COM, MSAA, Microsoft SAPI 4, Microsoft SAPI 5, Microsoft Visual Studio, and debugging and troubleshooting in carrying out the following responsibilities. These responsibilities included the implementation of new product features, refactoring of old code, and fixing bugs.

• Played a major role on the Infrastructure team, which was responsible for the development of shared components that are used by two or more of the products developed by Freedom Scientific.
• Played a major role on the teams responsible for the development of several of the Assistive Technology applications developed by Freedom Scientific including JAWS, a screen reader, and MAGic, a screen magnifier.
• Played a lesser role on the teams responsible for the development of the PAC Mate, an accessible Pocket PC device, OpenBook, a scanning and reading application for the blind, and FS Reader, an accessible DAISY book reader.
• Major Accomplishments
  • Worked on a project to produce a light weight version of JAWS for use on Kiosk systems and restricted security environments.
  • Implemented a Windows kernel driver that plays a vital role in the authorization system used by Freedom Scientific.  Prior to being assigned this task I had no knowledge of how to write kernel mode drivers. In less than one week I had taught myself the skills required to write a Windows kernel driver and completed the first version of the driver.
  • Worked on a joint project with Freedom Scientific and IBM to make the IBM Host-On-Demand software accessible via JAWS.
  • Worked on a joint project with Freedom Scientific and Sun Microsystems to make Java Swing applications accessible to the JAWS and MAGic user.
  • Worked on a joint project with IBM Japan and Freedom Scientific to convert JAWS to a Unicode application and to develop the first Japanese version of JAWS.

Associate Software Engineer

• Responsible for customizing JAWS and MAGic using a proprietary scripting language developed by Henter-Joyce for better interoperability with various applications that run under Microsoft Windows.
• Major Accomplishments
  • Took the initiative to write a much-needed system diagnostic application for the technical support team of Henter-Joyce. This application could be run by users who needed technical support for one reason or another to supply the technical support team with vital information about their computer system. This application was developed during my spare time and served as a project in which I could apply my knowledge as I taught myself C++. This application was distributed by Henter-Joyce for several years with JAWS and MAGic and was used during technical support calls as an essential part of resolving the user’s problems.

Education

University of South Carolina

Pursued an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. No degree was obtained.

Midlands Technical College

General studies with a focus on Biology. No degree was obtained.