WAMC Radio Series Highlights Programs That Help Students with Disabilities Transition into Science Careers

ALBANY, NY (11/05/2009)(readMedia)-- In November, WAMC Northeast Public Radio's The Best of Our Knowledge program will air the second story in a new series, Access to Advancement: An Audio Exploration of the National Effort to Increase the Role of Women with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The series, funded by the National Science Foundation's Research in Disabilities Education Program, sheds light on the opportunities for, and achievements of, women with disabilities in science fields.

Access to Advancement presents stories about tools, educational practices, and programs designed to broaden the participation of women with disabilities in science. And it profiles women with disabilities who are, or have been, involved with these programs and practices and are successfully working or learning in science fields.

The first two stories, now available for listening on WAMC's www.womeninscience.org website, highlight the DO-IT program based at the University of Washington in Seattle. DO-IT, which stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology, was designed to increase the number of people with disabilities in academic programs and careers. AccessSTEM, a project within DO-IT, focuses specifically on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academic programs and careers. The project works to engage educators, employers, and service providers in making STEM more welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities. It also uses evidence-based practices, such as peer support, mentoring, and internships, to increase student success.

Through Access to Advancement, the work of the DO-IT and AccessSTEM programs comes to life with the voices of young women, such as Emily Horwitz, a college student, who says that DO-IT is teaching her a variety of skills. "DO-IT doesn't just do academics. DO-IT stresses becoming self-sufficient, independent, and an individual."

DO-IT/AccessSTEM founder and director, Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler, says that the programs' success can largely be attributed to their focus on students' transitions from one level of education to the next. "Looking at the statistics, you can see that students with disabilities have a tremendous failure rate from high school to community college, or high school to a four-year schooland from college to employmentmost programs don't deal with the transition; they deal with the situation once you get somewhere."

The series profiles, which air on WAMC's 51% radio program, present the compelling stories of women with disabilities, such as Patricia Walsh, who are successfully working or learning in STEM fields. Patricia is a program manager at Microsoft who runs marathons, volunteers for a number of causes, and has an active social life. When her grades were poor and her confidence was low in college, a research experience through AccessSTEM helped Patricia, who is blind, get back on track. "It was a fantastic learning opportunity for me in leading a research opportunity, but also in gaining some confidence, and, hopefullysetting an example that others can follow to pursue science and engineering," Patricia said.

"These women and girls add another layer of meaning to 'perseverance,'" said Allison Dunne, one of three series producers. "I am thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking series, which we hope will build bridges, connections, and, most of all, greater understanding."

Tune in to The Best of Our Knowledge on November 9th at 8:00pm to learn more about the DO-IT/AccessSTEM program. The series will air monthly on The Best of Our Knowledge and 51%. Please visit www.wamc.org for a full broadcast schedule.

Access to Advancement was made possible by support from the National Science Foundation Research in Disabilities Education program under grant number HRD-0833247. For more information, please call (800) 323-9262, ext. 169, email womeninscience@wamc.org, or visit www.womeninscience.org. You can also join us on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com and searching for "Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics ON THE AIR!" Or follow the Access to Advancement series on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AccesstoAdvance.

WAMC Northeast Public Radio is a non-commercial, listener-supported public radio network broadcasting 24-hours-a-day to portions of seven New England and Middle Atlantic states. With 22 broadcast facilities, WAMC ranks among the most-listened-to public radio stations in the United States, with over 400,000 monthly listeners and more than 35,000 members. An affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International, WAMC is also one of the most prolific original producers of public-radio style programming in the nation, distributing a roster of award-winning segments and full-length news and information programs heard on more than 500 radio stations nationwide, on the Internet via audio on-demand, and in 177 countries via Armed Forces Radio. For more information, please visit www.wamc.org.