A series of activities were undertaken to increase the participation of students with disabilities, including veterans, in computing and information technology (IT) postsecondary education and career fields are coordinated by the Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing). AccessComputing is led by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) at the University of Washington (UW). AccessComputing is funded by the Computer and Information Science and Education program of the National Science Foundation (#CNS-1042260).
This publication shares the proceedings of the AccessComputing: Building Capacity to Promote the Success of Students, Including Veterans, With Disabilities in Computing and Information Technology Fields that was held for AccessComputing institutional partners from May 24-26, 2011, in Arlington, VA. It may be useful for people who:
- participated in the capacity building institute (CBI)
- are on the local project teams of AccessComputing institutional partners
- want guidance for conducting a CBI at their institution, in their region, or at a national or international forum
- seek to increase their understanding of issues surrounding the participation of students, including veterans, with disabilities in computing and IT studies and careers
- are motivated to engage in an electronic community to discuss these issues
- would like to access resources to help them make their campus courses, services, and activities more welcoming and accessible to students, including veterans, with disabilities
- have promising practices to share with others
About AccessComputing
AccessComputing works to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing and IT fields. AccessComputing institutional and organizational partners apply evidence-based practices to:
- increase the number of students with disabilities successfully pursuing degrees and careers in computing fields
- increase the capacity of postsecondary computing departments to fully include students with disabilities in computing courses and programs
- create a nationwide resource to help students with disabilities pursue computing fields
- help computing educators and employers, professional organizations, and other stakeholders develop more inclusive programs and share effective practices nationwide
AccessComputing institutional partners are Auburn University, Carnegie Mellon University, City University of New York (Queen's College), Gallaudet University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Landmark College, New Mexico State University, North Carolina State University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Rochester, and Washington State University.
AccessComputing organizational partners are the Association for Computing, Caribbean Computing Center for Excellence (CCCE), Anita Borg Institute, Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact (ARTSI), Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAITE), Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology (CMD-IT), Computing Research Association (CRA), Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Georgia Computes, Into the Loop, Midwest RDE Alliance, National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), Empowering Leadership Alliance (ELA), Virtual Alliance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in STEM, Reaching the Pinnacle (RTP), STARS Alliance, East Alliance for Students with Disabilities in STEM, and Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI).
AccessComputing collaborates with project partners by:
- conducting CBIs focused on increasing the participation of students with disabilities in computing and IT academic programs and careers
- sharing the results of the CBIs with other institutions and individuals who serve students with disabilities
- providing an electronic forum to continue discussion of issues for students, including veterans, with disabilities and increase services and supports for these students
- extending resources to other programs and promising practices via an online searchable Knowledge Base