INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine Features DO-IT’s AccessSTEM Projects

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s September 2016 issue featured an article called “AccessSTEM Aims to Make STEM Careers a Reality for Students of All Abilities.” The colorful magazine featured DO-IT Scholars on the front cover, completing a hands-on lab experience at a biomedical engineering company. Additional photos showed twelve DO-IT participants engaging in science and mentoring activities.

The article shared that opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are projected to create more than 9 million new jobs by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The article also shared data from the National Science Foundation which states that scientists and engineers with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed or out of the labor force compared to their peers without disabilities.

DO-IT’s AccessSTEM is described in the article as a “prime example of a longstanding program with a mission to diversity STEM fields by preparing students with disabilities for postsecondary studies and the workforce.” Indeed, AccessSTEM provides mentoring, tutor support, career development, and leadership opportunities to students with disabilities interested in STEM fields. Funding comes from the National Science Foundation and the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.

DO-IT Director Sheryl Burgstahler shares in the article that “It’s important to think about diversity within the classroom. Many people just think about the average student.” Sheryl’s comments highlight a growing awareness that it’s important to view disability as a diversity issue- much the same as embracing racial minorities, women, and other underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

According to their website,  “INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education today.” The 40-year old magazine reportedly reaches hundreds of thousands of readers per issue.

The article can be viewed for free on the INSIGHT into Diversity website. An accessible PDF can be requested from doit@uw.edu.