Public Presentations at the National Science Foundation
By Brianna Blaser, DO-IT Staff
AccessComputing staff hosted two public presentations about the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, VA on January 14, 2014.
AccessComputing (www.uw.edu/accesscomputing) is a national collaboration of institutions that engages individuals with disabilities, and those who support, serve, guide, educate, and employ them in transformational efforts to make computing disciplines more welcoming and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Poster presentations highlighted ways that AccessComputing has used evidence-based interventions to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing. Topics included minigrant awards, student internships, efforts to create institutional change, and specific interventions.
A panel of high school, college, and graduate students with disabilities shared their experiences studying computing and pursuing computing careers. Students discussed how their disabilities affected their education and career paths. They also told how they benefited from AccessComputing activities, such as internships.