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AccessComputing: An Alliance to Promote the Success of People with Disabilities in Computing Careers

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High-Tech Careers for People with Disabilities

[Picture of Richard and a student signing.]

"[In AccessComputing I learned] a great deal about computer careers in technological fields and the requirements for individuals to excel."
– STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY

"Working with students [with disabilities] has strengthened my belief in the importance of better preparing high school students for college."
– INSTRUCTOR

"[My son] needed to be connected emotionally and experientially with a course of study and this program did that. He is now pursing a computer science major."
– PARENT

"This program has encouraged me to attend graduate school to obtain a master's degree."
– STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY

The Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing), serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in computing fields. Its objectives are

  • to increase the number of students with disabilities successfully pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in computing fields.
  • to expand the capacity of postsecondary institutions, educators, veteran associations, and industry to fully include individuals with disabilities in computing careers.
  • to develop relationships among stakeholders that foster long-lasting change toward inclusiveness in computing education and careers.
  • to implement evidence-based practices such as mentorships and internships that increase the number of individuals with disabilities progressing through critical junctures to computing careers.
  • to grow an online resource center to share research and promising practices worldwide.

AccessComputing: Mobilizing Stakeholders

AccessComputing is comprised of a cross-section of stakeholders working together to increase the successful participation of students with disabilities in computing fields.

Project Partners, listed on the last page of this publication, engage in monthly forums and ongoing electronic communications. They provide data for researchers interested in measuring the progress of students with disabilities in computing fields, share resources and strategies for increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in their programs, and explore ways to include disability-related topics in computing curricula.

Collaborators facilitate online stakeholder communities of practice, provide internships, distribute materials to students with disabilities, institute changes to make their computing departments and programs more welcoming and accessible, and develop training and outreach activities that support the goals of AccessComputing.

Affiliates participate in online stakeholder communities of practice to share strategies, perspectives, expertise, and resources.

AccessComputing: Get Involved!

There are many ways to join AccessComputing. Visit www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/ for additional information.

For Students:

  • AccessComputing Team—for students with disabilities who would like to engage with each other and mentors and learn about industry and research internships, scholarships, and other opportunities in computing fields.
  • Advancing Deaf & Hard of Hearing in Computing—focused outreach and summer academy for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and interested in computing fields.

For Practitioners:

  • AccessComputing Communities of Practice (CoP)—join online discussions about strategies, resources, and activities for increasing participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. Five CoPs are listed below.
    • Blind and Low Vision CoP—a community of practitioners who support individuals who are blind or have low vision.
    • Broadening Participation CoP—comprised of alliances and projects that increase diversity in computing.
    • Computing Faculty, Administrator, and Employer CoP—engages computing professionals in making their offerings more accessible.
    • Deaf and Hard of Hearing CoP—a network of practitioners who support individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
    • Disability Services CoP—for disability service professionals.
  • AccessComputing Minigrant—apply for funds to promote computing studies and careers for students with disabilities on your campus or in your program.

Check out answers to questions like these in the AccessComputing Knowledge Base:

What are some low-tech assistive technologies that aid computer access?

How can people who have low vision operate a computer?

How can I make my computing department more accessible to students with disabilities?

How can universal design be applied in educational settings?

What Internet-based communication methods are accessible to people with disabilities?

Are there electronic mentoring programs for students with disabilities?

[Picture of Sheryl and a student at a computer.]

AccessComputing Resources

About AccessComputing

Led by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) at the University of Washington, AccessComputing institutional partners are Gallaudet University, Landmark College, and Rochester Institute of Technology. AccessComputing alliance partners are AccessSTEM, EAST, MIDWEST, RASEM2, National Center for Women and Information Technology, National Girls Collaborative Project, Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education, Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Empowering Leadership: Computing Scholars of Tomorrow, and Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact Alliance.

AccessComputing is supported by the National Science Foundation (grant #CNS-0540615 and #CNS-0837508). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. For further information, to be placed on the mailing list, or to request materials in an alternate format, contact:

University of Washington
Box 354842
Seattle, WA 98195-4842
accesscomp@u.washington.edu
www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/
206-221-4171 (Fax)
206-685-DOIT (3648) (voice/TTY) Seattle
509-328-9331 (voice/TTY) Spokane
888-972-DOIT (3648) (toll free voice/TTY)

Dr. Richard Ladner, Co-Director
Sheryl Burgstahler, Co-Director
Michael Richardson, Project Manager

Copyright © 2009 University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.