Three Partners Lead New Efforts in AccessComputing Initiative

NSF has approved an additional investment of almost $4,000,000 in the Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing), a project that they have funded continuously for a decade, with a total investment of more than $8,000,000. With new funding, AccessComputing will work to increase the number and success of people with disabilities successful in computing degree programs and careers, as well as increase the capacity of postsecondary institutions and other organizations to fully include students with disabilities in computing courses and programs. 

AccessComputing will benefit society by making computing opportunities available to more citizens and by enhancing computing fields with the talents and perspectives of people with disabilities. Leadership in the new AccessComputing initiative will expand by two members and one academic unit. The first three projects were led by PI Professor Richard Ladner, UW Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and co-PI Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler, DO-IT Director and Affiliate Professor in the College Education. The new Co-PIs, Professors Amy J. Ko and Jacob Wobbrock from the UW Information School, bring strengths in human-computer interaction, ability-based design, computing education, mobile user interfaces, and computer input methods.

A diverse set of postsecondary institutions and computing organizations will be project partners and students with disabilities will engage in mentoring and professional development opportunities. A new group of industry affiliates will be formed, bringing greater focus on placing students with disabilities into computing careers after successfully completing their education. A new activity will focus on how to integrate disability, accessibility, and UD topics into computing curricula. Learn more at the AccessComputing website.