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AccessComputing Minigrants

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(NOTE: Currently available minigrant funds have been allocated; request funding status at accesscomp@uw.edu before submitting a proposal.)

The Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing) contributes funds to support computing-related and information technology-related activities, training, and experiential learning opportunities nationwide. Ultimately, our goal is to increase the number of people with disabilities successfully pursuing computing careers.

You can seek funding to support:

  • an existing computing event in order to attract/involve students with disabilities (check with your computing department and see if there is an upcoming event to which you could add a mini-program for students with disabilities; for example, we have a pizza lunch and speaker/exhibit regarding disability issues as part of our more general UW Engineering Open House) or
  • a stand-alone new event to attract and support students with disabilities in computing fields.

Proposals can be submitted at any time, but limited funding is available.

Examples of activities that received funding in 2006 include:

  • Summer Computing Institute at the University of Southern Maine (USM), coordinated by Nancy Lightbody. On June 19 and 20, 2006, the University of Southern Maine's Gorham campus was alive with high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with disabilities who were attending a two-day Summer Computing Institute. Taught by computer science professors, the institute motivated high school students with disabilities to consider higher education courses and careers in computing fields. In addition to living on campus and learning new computer skills, students attending the Institute looked at computing options related to college and career selection, visited the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS), met with representatives from college admissions offices and disability support services, and toured Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) and USM. Photos of the Summer Computing Institute can be found at http://www.eastalliance.org/SCI/index.php.
  • University of Minnesota—Duluth, coordinated by Pam Griffin. On August 31-September 1, 2006, the University of Minnesota—Duluth hosted Orientation 2, a day and a half workshop that introduced students to college, Disability Services & Resources, assistive technology, computing careers, and self-advocacy skills. Incoming freshmen with disabilities interacted with faculty members from the College of Science and Engineering along with student mentors with disabilities who are majoring in engineering fields.
  • Florida State Equal and Accessible Technology Seminar, coordinated by Bea Awoniyi. On June 29, 2006, 141 staff and faculty as well as employees from Florida state government agencies attended presentations on accessible online learning and web accessibility. There was also a panel discussion on improving technology accessibility at Florida State University. Students with disabilities attended and several participated in a panel to share access challenges and solutions. More information can be found at http://feats.fsu.edu/.
  • Gallaudet Summer College Transition Academy in Computing, coordinated by Fat Lam, Ph.D. For four weeks (July 9-August 6, 2006), seven high school students participated in a series of lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and field trips at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. designed to increase computing interest on the part of students with disabilities and prepare them for college studies in computing fields.

Would you like to submit a proposal?

We expect most requests to be for $4,000-5,000. The proposal process is simple; just put your request in the following format and send it to accesscomp@u.washington.edu.

AccessComputing Minigrant Event Proposal

Event Title:
Event Date(s):
Event Location:
Event Director:

Event Objective(s) and Outcome(s)

How will your event promote the interest, participation, and/or success of individuals with disabilities in computing careers?

Event Description

How will your event accomplish these objectives (including draft agenda and expected number of participants)?

Event Budget

For what expenses do you request funding from the AccessComputing Alliance? (travel expenses for a speaker, refreshments for participants, facility rental, printed materials?)

Event Management, Support Staff, and Timeline

Who will do what and when to publicize the event, implement the activity, and evaluate the results?

Event Evaluation

How will you know you have accomplished the objectives (for example, evaluation forms, observations, interviews), especially documenting increased interest and/or pursuit of computing on the part of students with disabilities? We particularly encourage you to make a follow-up connection with participants after program participation to determine impact.

Dissemination

Grant recipients will submit a draft promising practice to be included in the AccessComputing Knowledge Base (http://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/kb.html). See an example at http://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/articles?378.

Copyright © 2008, 2007, 2006, University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, non-commercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.