NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance of Students with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM)

2023

For the U.S. to be globally competitive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, talent must be developed in all sectors of our population, including persons with disabilities (PWD) whose inclusion in STEM fields remains a challenge. Leveraging upon past successful NSF-funded programs focused on training STEM students with disabilities (SWD), we propose to drastically scale up these efforts to meet this challenge nationally through the formation of The Alliance for Persons with Disabilities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM) consisting of colleges and universities, organizations, government, and corporate partners. TAPDINTO-STEM aims to (a) Increase the quantity of persons with disabilities completing associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in STEM disciplines, and (b) Enhance communication and collaboration among post-secondary institutions, industry, government, national labs, and community in addressing the education needs of students with disabilities in STEM disciplines nationally. In the process, the Alliance will (a) Implement social science research and disseminate its findings to contribute to the knowledge base in broadening participation and to facilitate evidence-based decision making and adjustments for PWD in STEM, and (b) Utilize rigorous evaluation methods to determine the extent to which the project is implemented as planned and is successful in meeting its goals.

Performing Research or Evaluation, Other Direct/Model Services, Demonstration Services

Education & Early Intervention

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas

Regional

N/A