persons with disabilities in stem careers?. virginia commonwealth university who is the speaker???...

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

IN STEM CAREERS?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Who is the Speaker???Who is the Speaker???

Dr. Ted A. ConwayDr. Ted A. Conway

Associate Dean for Research ServicesAssociate Dean for Research Services

Professor: Biomechanical EngineeringProfessor: Biomechanical Engineering

Professor: Health & Human PerformanceProfessor: Health & Human Performance

Experience: Industry - 10 Years

Government - 5 Years

Academic - 20 Years

Consulting - 10 Years


TakeawaysTakeaways

Statement of Problem – NeedStatement of Problem – NeedCurrent Situation - ChallengesCurrent Situation - ChallengesOpportunities RecognizedOpportunities RecognizedSolutions - Best PracticesSolutions - Best PracticesExamplesExamplesFutureFuture

Strategies to Promote Diversity:Institutionalization of Culture Change

Portland, MEMarch 11, 2007


Why should any underrepresented groups Why should any underrepresented groups be interested in a scientific career?be interested in a scientific career?

Especially Persons with Disabilities?

Strategies to Promote Diversity:Institutionalization of Culture

Change Portland, MEMarch 11, 2007


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

Rising Above the Gathering Storm




“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 CouncilOffice of Science & Technology PolicyFebruary 2006

American Competitiveness Initiative




“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




Recent National TrendsIn

Research and Education

Division of Human Resource DevelopmentResearch in Disabilities Education




Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) represent:

McNeil 1993; NSF 1996, 2000Louis Harris Poll, 2004

NSF Women, Minorities & Persons w Disabilitiesin Science and Engineering (2006)

* 19.6 % of the U.S. population (60 M Americans)

* 11.3% of Undergraduates

* 65% of PWD are unemployed (Since 1986)

* 1.1% of S & E Doctoral Recipients (Since 1997)




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




The Role of DiversityThe Role of Diversity If we don’t have a diverse workforce, we limit If we don’t have a diverse workforce, we limit

the set of life experiences that an engineering the set of life experiences that an engineering team will have and, consequently, we limit the team will have and, consequently, we limit the creativity that could be brought to bear.”creativity that could be brought to bear.” William Wulf, President, National Academy of EngineeringWilliam Wulf, President, National Academy of Engineering

Diverse participation encourages creativity, Diverse participation encourages creativity, stability and resilience. Enlisting a broad stability and resilience. Enlisting a broad range of minds and backgrounds … yields range of minds and backgrounds … yields products and services that benefit a broad products and services that benefit a broad range of consumers. Broad participation range of consumers. Broad participation benefits business too.benefits business too. National Center for Women in Information TechnologyNational Center for Women in Information Technology


Obstacles Create “BIG Challenges”





NSF Statistics

for

Persons with Disabilities in STEM



Undergraduates with a Disability: By Type (1999-2000)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Visual

Hearing

Speech

Orthopedic

Specific Learning Disability

Attention Deficit Disorder

Mental Illness / Depression

Health Impairment

Other

Percent

Total Undergraduates Listing a Disability

9.3 %

U.S. Depar tment of Education, National Center f or Education Statistics, 1999–2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.

Graduate Students With a Disability: By Type (1999-2000)

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Visual Impairment

Hearing

Orthopedic

Learning Disability

Mental Illness / Depression

Health Impairment

Other

Percent

Total Graduate StudentsListing a

Disability: 7.4 %

Total Graduate Students

Considering Themselves

Disabled: 2.4 %

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 1999–2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.


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.


Science & Engineering Doctoral Holders by

Disability and Employment Status: 2001

Source: NSF, Division of Science Resources Statistics, Survey of Doctoral Recipients, 2001


National Science Foundation – Research in Disabilities EducationRegional Alliances (14 States )+ 5 More






Can We Learn From History???


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?


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?



What traits are necessary for success in STEM fields?

Problem Solving Skills

Creativity

Persistence




Division of Human Resource DevelopmentResearch in Disabilities EducationRevisit Question:

Why fund STEM education programs for persons with disabilities?




Division of Human Resource DevelopmentResearch in Disabilities EducationAnswer:

Persons with disabilities inherently possess fundamental traits necessary to be successful in STEM fields.

Problem Solving Skills

Creativity

Persistenceand

We bring our own unique life experiences to the problem solving table which promotes innovation.




Why should we be interested in

Broadening Participation?

TALENT





How can this latent talent be recognized and fostered in Persons with Disabilities???

Assistive Technology




An Average Day in My Life

Using

Assistive Technology




What did you expect!!!




Additional Needs




Chronometer with

Audio Frequency Generator




Temperature Controlled,

Pressurized Water Delivery System




Home to Work Transportation Device




Human Transport Mechanical Lifting Machine




Artificial Work Area Luminescence Device




Communication Device




Document Production and Storage Computing Machine




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.



Question:

What has been one of the strongest “Best Practices” for Entering and Thriving in STEM Fields for Underrepresented Minorities ?





Answer:

MENTORING





Pre-college

College

Academic

Chair/Dean/Provost

Management

President

TIERED MENTORING

President

Professional




Division of Human Resource DevelopmentResearch in Disabilities EducationBenefits of Tiered Mentoring

* Provide Role Models

* Recognize Opportunities/Raise Aspirations

* Effective Intervention - Counseling

* Electronic vs. Face-to-Face

* Focus on Abilities





PEER MENTORING

Student Student

Professional Professional




Division of Human Resource DevelopmentResearch in Disabilities EducationBenefits of Peer Mentoring

* PWD/PWD Common Experiences

* PWD/PWD Shared Problem Solving

* PWD/Pw/oD Life Experiences

* PWD/Pw/oD Problem Solving Focus on Ability




SUCCESSFUL:SUCCESSFUL: SCIENTISTSSCIENTISTS

ENGINEERSENGINEERS

MATHEMATICIANSMATHEMATICIANS

INVENTORSINVENTORS




Galileo Galilei

(1564 – 1642)

Physicist & Astronomer

Visual Impairment




Thomas Alva Edison

(1847 – 1931)

Inventor

Hearing Impaired




Stephen Hawking

(1942 – Present)

Physicist

Physical Impairment




Leonhard Euler

(1707 – 1783)

Mathematician

Visual Impairment




Albert Einstein

(1879 – 1955)

Physicist

Learning Disability




SUCCESSFUL INNOVATORSSUCCESSFUL INNOVATORS




Judy Heumann

(1947 – Present)

Disability Activist

Physical Impairment




Ralf Hotchkiss

(1947 – Present)

Inventor/Activist

Physical Impairment




SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINERS




Pyotr TchaikovskyComposerEpilepticDepression




Halle BerryOscar-winning ActorModelHearing Impaired




Walt DisneyAnimatorStudio MogulTelevision PersonalityDyslexic




Obstacles Create “BIG Challenges”

and

“Great Opportunities”




Next Generation of Scientists/EngineersNext Generation of Scientists/Engineers

RASEM 2004 RASSI Summer Science Camp




Teachers/MentorsTeachers/Mentors

RASEM 2004 RASSI Summer Science Camp




RecapRecap

* Demonstrated the Need* Demonstrated the Need

* Stated the Challenges* Stated the Challenges

* Recognized Opportunities* Recognized Opportunities

* Solutions and Examples* Solutions and Examples

* * The Future is up to YOUThe Future is up to YOU



PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

IN STEM CAREERS?

persons with disabilities in stem careers?. virginia commonwealth university who is the speaker???...

Documents

disabilities pwds

forefront of world science

nsf women

human resources

national academy of

research servicesprofessor

new technology

disabilitiesin stem