PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN STEM CAREERS?

1. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN STEM CAREERS?

2. Who is the Speaker??? Dr. Ted A. Conway Associate Dean for Research Services Professor: Biomechanical Engineering Professor: Health & Human Performance Experience: Industry - 10 Years Government - 5 Years Academic - 20 Years Consulting - 10 Years

3. Takeaways • Statement of Problem – Need • Current Situation - Challenges • Opportunities Recognized • Solutions - Best Practices • Examples • Future Strategies to Promote Diversity: Institutionalization of Culture Change Portland, ME March 11, 2007

4. Why should any underrepresented groups be interested in a scientific career? Especially Persons with Disabilities? Strategies to Promote Diversity: Institutionalization of Culture Change Portland, ME March 11, 2007

5. Rising Above the Gathering Storm The vitality of the United States “… is derived in large part from the productivity of well-trained people and the steady stream of scientific and technical innovations they produce. Without high-quality, knowledge-intensive jobs and the innovative enterprises that lead to discovery and new technology, our economy will suffer and our people will face a lower standard of living.” 2006, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine

6. American Competitiveness Initiative “The American Competitiveness Initiative commits $5.9 billion in FY 2007 to increase investments in research and development, strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship. … The bedrock of America’s competitiveness is a well-educated and skilled workforce .” Domestic Policy Council Office of Science & Technology Policy February 2006

7. “Discovery is a global enterprise. For the U.S. to remain in the forefront of world science and technology, it needs scientists and engineers from all disciplines who can operate and lead international teams and track international discoveries in some of the most challenging research areas.” • Arden L. Bement, Jr. , NSF Director

8. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Recent National Trends In Research and Education

9. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) represent: • McNeil 1993; NSF 1996, 2000 • Louis Harris Poll, 2004 • NSF Women, Minorities & Persons w Disabilities • in Science and Engineering (2006) * 19.6 % of the U.S. population (60 M Americans) * 11.3% of Undergraduates * 1.1% of S & E Doctoral Recipients (Since 1997) * 65% of PWD are unemployed (Since 1986)

10. The first priority of NSF’s Directorate for Education and Human Resources should be establishing a Program for Persons with Disabilities in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics that would support innovative projects designed to recruit, train, retain, and move students with disabilities into graduate training and careers in these disciplines. NSF Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) Internal Task Force, 1989

11. The Role of Diversity • If we don’t have a diverse workforce, we limit the set of life experiences that an engineering team will have and, consequently, we limit the creativity that could be brought to bear.” • William Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineering • Diverse participation encourages creativity, stability and resilience. Enlisting a broad range of minds and backgrounds … yields products and services that benefit a broad range of consumers. Broad participation benefits business too. • National Center for Women in Information Technology

12. Obstacles Create “BIG Challenges”

14. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development NSF Statistics for Persons with Disabilities in STEM

17. Field Distribution of Graduate Students by Disability Status: 2000 Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 2000.

18. Science & Engineering Doctoral Holders by Disability and Employment Status: 2001 Source: NSF, Division of Science Resources Statistics, Survey of Doctoral Recipients, 2001

19. National Science Foundation – Research in Disabilities Education Regional Alliances (14 States ) + 5 More

20. Can We Learn From History???

21. Image it is 1957! What are the general expectations of STEM involvement for Women and “Colored People”? What comments are accepted by general society regarding the abilities of these Underrepresented Groups?

22. Now It’s 2007! What are the general expectations of STEM involvement for Persons with Disabilities? What comments are accepted by general society regarding the ability of this Underrepresented Group?

23. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development What traits are necessary for success in STEM fields? Problem Solving Skills Creativity Persistence

24. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Revisit Question: Why fund STEM education programs for persons with disabilities?

25. Answer: Persons with disabilities inherently possess fundamental traits necessary to be successful in STEM fields. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Problem Solving Skills Creativity Persistence and We bring our own unique life experiences to the problem solving table which promotes innovation.

26. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Why should we be interested in Broadening Participation? TALENT

27. How can this latent talent be recognized and fostered in Persons with Disabilities??? Assistive Technology

28. An Average Day in My Life Using Assistive Technology

29. What did you expect!!!

30. Additional Needs

31. Chronometer with Audio Frequency Generator

32. Temperature Controlled, Pressurized Water Delivery System

33. Home to Work Transportation Device

34. Human Transport Mechanical Lifting Machine

35. Artificial Work Area Luminescence Device

36. Communication Device

37. Document Production and Storage Computing Machine

38. Statement of the Obvious!!! Assistive Technology allows us to conduct and complete tasks that we would otherwise not be able to perform. WE ALL USE A.T.

39. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Question: What has been one of the strongest “Best Practices” for Entering and Thriving in STEM Fields for Underrepresented Minorities ?

40. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development Answer: MENTORING

41. TIERED MENTORING Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development President Chair/Dean/Provost President Management Academic Professional College Pre-college

42. Benefits of Tiered Mentoring Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development * Provide Role Models * Recognize Opportunities/Raise Aspirations * Effective Intervention - Counseling * Electronic vs. Face-to-Face * Focus on Abilities

43. Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development PEER MENTORING Student Student Professional Professional

44. Benefits of Peer Mentoring Research in Disabilities Education Divisionof Human Resource Development * PWD/PWD Common Experiences * PWD/PWD Shared Problem Solving * PWD/Pw/oD Life Experiences * PWD/Pw/oD Problem Solving Focus on Ability

45. SUCCESSFUL: SCIENTISTS ENGINEERS MATHEMATICIANS INVENTORS

46. Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642) Physicist & Astronomer Visual Impairment

47. Thomas Alva Edison (1847 – 1931) Inventor Hearing Impaired

48. Stephen Hawking (1942 – Present) Physicist Physical Impairment

49. Leonhard Euler (1707 – 1783) Mathematician Visual Impairment

50. Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955) Physicist Learning Disability