In the past, AccessSTEM received funds from the National Science Foundation (Research in Disabilities Education award # HRD-0227995) for educators to undertake projects that resulted in increased participation and success of students with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields. The titles below link to some of the successful projects funded through this effort.
As increasing numbers of people with disabilities pursue educational opportunities that require computer use, the accessibility of science facilities becomes even more critical. To put it simply, science labs need to be accessible to all users. Students with disabilities need equal access to: (1) building/facilities, (2) lab staff, (3) physical space and printed materials, (4) computers and software, and (5) electronic resources.
The funding for AccessSTEM minigrants has ended. However, we hope to offer more grants to help teachers make their science, technology, engineering and math curriculum, labs and activities accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.
For examples of accommodations for students with disabilities in STEM activities, see the following publications:
Progress from 10/1/08 to 4/30/11
by S. Burgstahler, E. Moore, and L. Crawford, University of Washington
Reporting data as of April 2010.
by S. Burgstahler, E. Moore, and L. Crawford, University of Washington
Reporting data as of January, 2009.
by S. Burgstahler, University of Washington, and C. Chang, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Reporting data as of May, 2007. Some data updated March, 2008.
A longitudinal transition study sponsored by AccessSTEM/DO-IT explores college and career outcomes for students with disabilities participating in activities sponsored by DO-IT projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the state of Washington. Specific research questions are:
Yes. It is possible to fail a student with a disability. The laws mandate access to education, not guaranteed academic success. When a faculty member has provided reasonable academic accommodations, all that is required to comply with the law, and the student does not meet the course requirements, then failing a student is proper and lawful. The following is a compliance checklist that may be helpful:
Students who wish to exercise their right to disability-related accommodations must provide the campus disabled student services office with documentation of their disability. The disabled student services office then notifies their instructors that specific accommodations are necessary. On most campuses, instructors receive written notification describing the nature of the appropriate academic adjustments for the student.