ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ AccessERC

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Promoting the engagement of people with disabilities in NSF-funded Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) and the development ofÌýERCÌýproducts, websites, facilities, and events that are welcoming and accessible to everyone.

´¡³¦³¦±ð²õ²õ·¡¸é°äÌýbuilds the capacity ofÌýERCÌýfaculty, staff, and partners to fully include individuals with disabilities in all aspects ofÌýERCÌýendeavors.

Engagement ofÌýERCÌýFaculty, Staff, and Partners

ERCs nationwide can engage inÌýAccessERCÌýtraining, consultation, community building, recruitment, and activity and resource development.

  • Online Community of Practice
    Faculty, education directors, and diversity directors can join the community to discuss strategies and share resources for promoting the participation of people with disabilities in ERCs.
  • Capacity Building Institutes and Training
    ERCÌýpersonnel can learn about best practices and resources at collaborative meetings and presentations sponsored byÌýAccessERC.
  • Seed Grants
    ERCs can apply for a limited number of seed grants that provide funding for direct costs of activities that promoteÌýAccessERCÌý´Ç²úÂá±ð³¦³Ù¾±±¹±ð²õ.
  • Consultation
    ERCÌýpersonnel can consult withÌýAccessERCÌýstaff regarding the creation of accessible websites, spaces, events, and products.

Engagement of Students

Ìý´¡³¦³¦±ð²õ²õ·¡¸é°äÌýstaff members encourage students with disabilities to pursue opportunities at ERCs and careers in related fields.

  • ERCÌýActivities
    Students with disabilities can learn about opportunities through ERCs andÌýAccessERC, such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs, accessibility reviews, engineering presentations, academic programs, and internships.
  • Online Mentor and Peer Support
    Students with disabilities can engage in an electronic community of peers and mentors to succeed in college studies and to prepare for research, graduate school, and engineering careers.

Resources

AccessERCÌýshares resources:

  • Searchable Knowledge BaseÌýof questions and answers, case studies, and promising practices
  • GuidelinesÌýfor making engineering instruction, activities, facilities,Ìý documents, and departments welcoming and accessible to students with disabilities
  • ProceedingsÌýof capacity building institutes exploring issues related to disability and engineering fields
  • VideosÌýfeaturing accessibility guidelines and students with disabilities pursuing engineering careersÌý

Impact of Our Work

AccessERCÌýoutcomes benefit society byÌý

  • Increasing the participation of people with disabilities in education and careers in engineeringÌý
  • Improving engineering fields with their perspectives and expertise

´¡³¦³¦±ð²õ²õ·¡¸é°äÌýLeaders

PI: Rajesh Rao, PI of Center for Neurotechnology
Director: Sheryl Burgstahler, Director of DO-IT
Manager: Scott Bellman, Programs Manager for DO-IT
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Partners

AccessERCÌýengages with .

Funding

AccessERCÌýis funded by the Engineering Research Center program of the National Science Foundation as a supplement to theÌý (Award Number EEC-1028725) at the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´.ÌýThe content of this brochure does not necessarily represent the policies of the NSF, and you should not assume their endorsement.