AccessComputing's Added Initiative

Sheryl Burgstahler, AccessComputing Co-PI

AccessComputing has received supplemental funding to undertake an additional initiative that supports our work. The supplement will allow us to increase the capacity of other computing-related projects funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to recruit and fully include individuals with disabilities in computing instruction, research, and other activities supported by their projects. We aim to foster synergistic and lasting relationships among NSF project leaders to promote systemic changes toward inclusiveness in computing research, education, and careers.
As part of NSF's Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) commitment to broadening participation in computing (BPC), grant proposals in a subset of programs must provide meaningful BPC plans. Among the supplement's objectives are to increase the capacity of CISE projects to

  • recruit, mentor, and fully include individuals with disabilities in computing outreach, instruction, research, and other activities;
  • develop and implement strategies to shift culture of departments/organizations to be more welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities; and
  • create and deploy accessibly designed project websites, documents, curriculum, and videos.
The effort will result in the creation of online resources that will ensure a great impact for many years to come. AccessComputing initiatives aim to increase the successful participation of people with disabilities in STEM fields and enhance these fields with their perspectives and expertise. We look forward to extending our impact with additional project funding provided by NSF.