How can we encourage students with disabilities to pursue computing?
Sheryl: I'm Sheryl Burgstahler.
I work for the central IT unit at the University of Washington in Seattle
where we employ hundreds of people into IT positions
and we're always recruiting for the brightest and the best.
To meet our demand as well as those from other organizations
across the country, we need to recruit more students
into computing fields of study.
Women and racial/ ethnic minorities are often typically included in recruitment efforts,
but what about people with disabilities?
Teachers can play an important role
in encouraging this underrepresented group to study computing.
But how can we encourage students with disabilities to pursue computing?
Here's one story.
Meet Cindy.
Cindy: My name is Cindy Bennett, and I am a first year PhD student
in the Human Centered Design and Engineering Department
at the University of Washington.
I became interested in a career in Human Centered Design and Engineering
because I worked as a research assistant
in the computer science department
at the University of Washington for two years.
I was hired because I have a psychology background
and experience managing research projects.
So I brought a social science view
to the computer science research we were doing.
And I realized that I could combine
my love for technology with my social science training.
And essentially, that's what Human Centered Design is all about.
I have learned that I can have an impact
and improve the access blind people have to technology.
As I have become more connected in the blind community,
I have met more blind people who are pursuing science,
and I have learned that we can and we should
pursue science careers when we want them.
Sheryl: To learn more about how you can encourage students
with disabilities to pursue computing fields,
engage with the AccessCS10K project.
Find resources at uw.edu/accesscomputing/accesscs10k