Accessibility in the Sciences

Accessibility is the theory, practice, and daily reality of designing for people with the broadest set of capabilities, with special consideration given to people with disabilities.

The sciences pose particular challenges for people with disabilities, from the use of specialized equipment in a lab setting to the deployment of a wide variety of digital tools and platforms for analysis to the publication of scientific papers incorporating equations and representative symbols. With that said, people with disabilities are making strides in STEM. Whether you're in the lab, at a whiteboard, or in the classroom, thinking accessibly and supporting scientists and students with disabilities requires patience, empathy, and a certain amount of research, but the time and effort you put in can often help all of your colleagues and students, not just those with disabilities.