Erika

Assistive Technology

I think a lot about how people view my disability and that has always been part of the reason I want to pursue a STEM career. My experiences have led me to believe that few people have the expectation that deaf people will pursue or succeed in STEM.

I have always tried to prove that I can do anything I set my mind to. I graduated from high school with numerous awards. This included being the first deaf speaker at graduation and being in the “Principal Hall of Fame.” All of these awards reflect my dedication and focus in high school and helped me get into the University of Washington. I hope my accomplishments make me a role model and show other deaf people that disability shouldn’t limit one’s success in life.

From a young age, my parents encouraged me to overcome the challenges related to my disability. Through a college-preparation program, I learned skills to advocate and stand up for myself and not let my disability define my path to success. AccessComputing’s Summer Academy for Advancing Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Computing helped me explore numerous STEM careers through networking with people locally and nationally. This helped me build connections and gave me basic tools to get started on a career in computer science.

I intended to study biomedical engineering before changing to computer science, following a newfound passion for programming. I know that computing will offer me the challenges I’m looking for while pursuing my dream to design assistive technology and create prototypes that will change how people with disabilities access the world around them. I don’t want people with disabilities to feel they cannot follow their passions based on what other people say or their own doubts.

In my vision for the future, I see people with disabilities doing the previously perceived impossible and having just as many career opportunities as able-bodied people. I also dream of seeing more people with disabilities in STEM fields and showing what people can accomplish with perseverance and determination.