AccessComputing: Building Capacity to Promote the Success of Students, Including Veterans, With Disabilities in Computing and Information Technology Fields (2011)

May 24 - 26, 2011
Arlington, Virginia

The goal of this CBI was to explore ways to increase the participation and success of students, including veterans, with disabilities in computing and information technology postsecondary studies and careers.

Participants in this two-day event included student services leaders, administrators, and teaching faculty from institutions around the country. Hosted by the UW AccessComputing project, the CBI provided a forum for comparing recruitment and access challenges, sharing successful practices, developing collaborations, and identifying systemic change initiatives for increasing the capacity of institutions to serve students with disabilities. Specific goals of this CBI were to:

  • gain information about recruiting, serving, and retaining students, including veterans, with disabilities on postsecondary campuses
  • brainstorm ideas for bridging the gap between computing faculty, disability services faculty, community colleges, and veterans services
  • share information about best practices for serving students, including veterans, with disabilities, funding opportunities, and resources
  • network

Speakers and panelists were also CBI participants. Many either had disabilities or were practitioners with direct experience in serving students with disabilities. Broad issues that were discussed included:

  • transitions to post-secondary education
  • recruitment and retention of students, including veterans, with disabilities in postsecondary education
  • transition to employment after postsecondary graduation