Opportunities for Computing and IT Students with Disabilities Fall 2012 Dear Student, This newsletter comes from AccessComputing. A National Science Foundation funded project, AccessComputing serves to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. We apply evidence-based practices to help students with disabilities successfully pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in computing fields. On page two of this letter, you'll find a profile of Katie, an AccessComputing student team member, and information about a resource called the Student Lounge. Page three talks about internship opportunities, undergraduate research, and how to become an AccessComputing team member. Page four highlights the Business Leadership Network, a student organization called Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities, interesting videos, and the Summer Academy for Advancing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students. The insert lists information about a variety of exciting internship and scholarship programs. We sincerely wish you a successful and enjoyable college experience. To request this newsletter in an alternate format, contact Brianna Blaser, AccessComputing Coordinator/Counselor, at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. Richard Ladner Principal Investigator, AccessComputing Professor, Computer Science and Eng. University of Washington Sheryl Burgstahler Co-PI, AccessComputing Director, DO-IT University of Washington Brianna Blaser Coordinator/Counselor AccessComputing University of Washington AccessComputing Team Member Profile: Katie My name is Katie. I am a program manager for a user experience team at Microsoft. I manage software features, rather than people, working with developers and testers to oversee the creation of features in our products. The program managers on my team own the user interfaces that are common across Office programs. In my first computer science class in high school, I always found it so cool how my simple lines of code could create things. After a year of Intro to Java, I thought about my favorite Nintendo games and what the code behind them might be like. It made me realize how coding could make such cool stuff! Before joining Microsoft, I went to Olin College in Needham, MA, where I earned a degree in engineering with a concentration in computing. Olin is a small school that prides itself in its innovative approach towards engineering education, with a heavy focus on design and entrepreneurship. I was lucky to have found a few great summer internship opportunities while at Olin, working at IBM and then at the University of Washington. I am hard of hearing and rely primarily on lip-reading. At Microsoft my coworkers have been supportive, and they are willing to accommodate me by facing me, speaking clearly, and repeating themselves. My manager has expressed that he is excited to have me on the team and has seen my hearing impairment as a way for the team to grow and learn to be better communicators. For meetings, I'm able to schedule either remote or on-site captioning at no cost. I still face challenges. For instance, I sometimes feel frustrated at not being able to notice or listen in on hallway chatter. I consider myself fortunate to work alongside other smart people who are working on exciting things, so I always love to soak up any information I can. Over time, people have learned to grab me if the chatter might be related to something I'm working on, so I won't miss out. Just looking around at all the cool things going on at my own company makes me so excited about where technology is headed in the future, and we will need people to help bring these ideas to life. If you're interested in a career in computing, I'd recommend being aware of the computer science classes available and taking the ones that are interesting to you. Scholarship Web Page Check out the exciting new page that contains scholarships for all types of students, disabilities, and interests. Using an interactive sorting tool, you can filter scholarships by disability or other criteria. Information includes scholarship name, deadline, description, eligibility, and links to individual sponsors. To see this page in action, visit www.uw.edu/doit/Student/scholarships.html. "Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid. Human beings are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant. Together they are powerful beyond imagination." - Albert Einstein Where are Those Awesome, Once-in-a-Lifetime Internships? Have you heard stories about student interns working at places like NASA, IBM, Microsoft, or the United States Congress? Have you ever wondered how they found those incredible internships? The special insert to this newsletter describes powerful internship and recruitment programs that are unique to students with disabilities. As you read the newsletter insert, be sure to note application deadlines and plan ahead. To request assistance with application materials, contact Brianna Blaser, at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. AccessComputing Students with disabilities have been utilizing these programs for years. Now it's your turn! How can I get involved with undergraduate research? Research internships present opportunities for undergraduates to gain an exposure to research and consider whether they are interested in research careers and graduate school. There are several programs that allow computing undergraduates with disabilities to become involved in research. The REU for Increasing Diversity (www.pratt.duke.edu/reu/absher) at Duke University offers research internships in engineering fields, including computer engineering, with an emphasis on including groups that are underrepresented, including students with disabilities. Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates (parasol.tamu.edu/dreu/) matches women and students from underrepresented groups, including students with disabilities, with a computer science or engineering faculty mentor for summer research experiences at the mentor's home institution. There are many National Science Foundation sponsored sites for research experiences for undergraduates. Search for a site at www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm/ Subject to funding availability, AccessComputing funds research internships for students with disabilities. To learn more, contact Brianna Blaser, at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. AccessComputing Seeks Students in Computing Fields AccessComputing is recruiting students with disabilities for a project funded by the National Science Foundation. AccessComputing provides opportunities for students to locate internships and other work experiences, participate in events, conduct labor market research, develop disability disclosure and accommodation strategies, and network with peers and mentors. The AccessComputing project is recruiting high school, community college, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing computing careers. Have a friend with a disability who is studying a computing field? Team members who refer another computing student into the program can receive $100. Have the potential AccessComputing Team member mention your name under the question, "How did you hear about AccessComputing?" If the applicant is accepted into AccessComputing, you will receive $100! (This offer is contingent upon available grant funds.) The AccessComputing student team member application is available online at: uw.edu/accesscomputing/team_app.html For more information, contact Brianna Blaser at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. The National Business Leadership Network The purpose of the Business Leadership Network is to help employers understand the value of hiring and promoting people with disabilities. There is a national organization and local affiliates. For more information about networking through the BLN, visit www.usbln.org. Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities COSD is a unique consortium composed of large and small universities, national employers and US Government agencies focused on the career employment of college graduates with disabilities. COSD is funded through a grant provided by the U. S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. For more information, visit www.cosdonline.org. Summer Academy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students The 2013 Summer Academy is an academically challenging program designed for deaf and hard of hearing students with skills in math and/or science who may be considering computing as a career. We are searching for ten of the top deaf and hard of hearing students in the United States. Admission is extremely competitive, based on an assessment of ability in computing, and enthusiasm to participate in an intensive experience in all things computing. For more information, visit www.uw.edu/accesscomputing/dhh/academy. Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology Based at the University of Washington, DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computing and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment. Check out these great videos produced by DO-IT: Returning from Service: College and IT Careers for Veterans -This video presents opportunities and challenges faced by veterans with disabilities as they transition to the postsecondary classroom and pursue degrees in computing and information technology fields. Available at www.uw.edu/doit/Video/index.php?vid=52. STEM and People with Disabilities - Learn how the accessibility of STEM activities can be increased and how students with disabilities can prepare for these fields of study and employment. Available at www.uw.edu/doit/Video/index.php?vid=53. About this Publication This publication is published by AccessComputing. Its purpose is to inform students with disabilities in computing about some of the many opportunities available to them. It is printed periodically. Submit content suggestions to Brianna Blaser at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. This publication was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation (#CNS-1042260). The contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the U.S. federal government, and you should not assume their endorsement. Copyright 2012, University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. University of Washington College of Engineering UW Information Technology College of Education Exciting Internships and Scholarships! AccessComputing Internships for Students with Disabilities in Computing Fields AccessComputing projects provide opportunities for students with disabilities to locate work experiences and paid internships, participate in career preparation events, conduct labor market research, develop disability disclosure and accommodation strategies, and network with mentors and business professionals. For more information, contact AccessComputing Coordinator/Counselor Brianna Blaser at 206-685-3648 (V/TTY) or blaser@uw.edu. AAPD's Congressional Internship Program in Washington DC The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to offer a congressional internship program for undergraduate students with disabilities. The program provides an opportunity for students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill for eight weeks and acquire valuable work experience to enrich their academic studies. As congressional interns, participants gain insight into congressional office operations, public policy development, and constituents' roles in the legislative and political processes. For more information and an application, visit www.aapd.com/what-we-do/employment/internship-program/. College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities Financial aid is available to help students pay for educational expenses. Common forms of financial aid include grants, loans, work study, and scholarships. Students with disabilities may also be eligible for disability-related federal and state programs that offer financial support. Many students use a combination of these financial aid resources. To learn more about strategies for funding your education, check out College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities at www.uw.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/financial-aid.html. Emerging Leaders Internships for Graduates and Undergrads with Disabilities The Emerging Leaders internship program matches undergraduate and graduate level college students with disabilities with paid summer internships at prominent corporations. Visit www.emerging-leaders.com/students.htm for program details and qualifications. Applications are evaluated as received. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early, because early applicants have the greatest opportunity for placement in an internship. The final deadline for consideration is January 18, 2013. This publication is meant only as a guide. Information should be verified with the sponsor and is subject to change. Exciting Internships and Scholarships! Workforce Recruitment Program The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects public and private sector employers with highly motivated postsecondary students with disabilities who are eager to apply their abilities in the workforce. Employers seek to fill both temporary and permanent positions in a variety of fields, using WRP applicants. During fall, personal interviews are conducted on campuses. By late March, a database of student information is made available to employers. Interested employers make direct contact with students about job offers. The database remains active for one year. Ask your school's disability services or career services coordinator if WRP will be visiting your campus soon. Microsoft College Internship Program As an intern at Microsoft, you'll have real responsibility, real work, and real opportunities to jumpstart your career. (You'll get paid, too!) It's an experience you'll never find in a classroom. You'll be given manageable assignments that you can complete while you're here, and your efforts will likely take shape in Microsoft products-or be used by Microsoft teams-long after you return to school. You could help create a Web application, a marketing plan, a prototype, a user guide-the possibilities are endless. For more information, visit careers.microsoft.com/careers/en/us/internships.aspx. ENTRY POINT! Summer Internship Opportunities ENTRY POINT! offers outstanding internship opportunities for students with disabilities in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business. Students with disabilities can apply their skills in a real-world setting in competitive summer internships. For more information and an application, visit www.entrypoint.org. Google Lime Scholarship Google is committed to helping the innovators of the future make the most of their talents by providing scholarships and networking retreats for computer science students with disabilities. Recipients of the 2013 Google Lime Scholarship will each receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year. Selected students will also be invited to attend the annual Google Scholars' Retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California in 2013. Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates' academic background and demonstrated passion for computer science. For more information, visit www.limeconnect.com/opportunities/page/google-lime-scholarship-program. This publication is meant only as a guide. Information should be verified with the sponsor and is subject to change.