What can professional organizations do to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in their field?

There are several things that professional organizations can do to increase the participation of people with disabilities in their field. Suggestions include:

• Ensuring that organizational diversity statements address disability.
• Making sure that the organization’s website is accessible to individuals with disabilities. For more information about web accessibility, see 30 Web Accessibility Tips.
• Appointing an accessibility chair for workshops and conferences to ensure they are welcoming and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Including images of people with disabilities in publications and on the organization’s website.

For more information, see Equal Access: Universal Design of Professional Organizations, Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering by Welcoming Participants with Disabilities and SIGCHI: A Promising Practice in Increasing Accessibility in Professional Organizations and Conferences.