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Projects

AccessComputing Workforce

This multi-year project focuses on teaching accessibility skills (such as providing curricula and knowledge to computer science instructors), encouraging employers to prioritize accessibility, and making computer science education more accessible to ensure compliance.

Funder: National Science Foundation

AccessCSforAll

AccessCSforAll works to increase the successful participation of students with disabilities in K-12 computing. K-12 students with disabilities in computing courses may encounter tools and curricula that are inaccessible to screen readers used by students who are blind or have reading-related disabilities such as dyslexia. Content embedded in images without text-based alternatives accessible by screen readers also creates barriers. Students who are deaf require captions or transcriptions of audio content and students with disabilities can benefit from curricular features that facilitate access to them.

AccessCSforAll is a Research-Practitioner Partnership. Our partners include CS curriculum providers, in-service and pre-service providers, and organizations that support K-12 CS teachers and schools nationwide, including those that serve students who are deaf, are blind, or have learning disabilities. Together they are decreasing barriers such as inaccessible tools and curriculum while improving access to quality computer science education for students with disabilities.

Funder: National Science Foundation

AccessUR2PhD

AccessUR2PhD is an initiative designed to support and mentor students with disabilities through engaging computer science research and PhD programs. Aiming to build a more inclusive future in computing, AccessUR2PhD focuses on two objectives:

  1. To provide direct support for students with disabilities interested in computing research through mentoring, leadership, and training activities.

  2. To develop and disseminate resources to support (1) students with disabilities in computing research and (2) faculty and graduate students who are mentoring students with disabilities.

Funder: Computing Research Association

OurCS Workshops

OurCS offers research-focused workshops for undergraduates with disabilities in computing fields, partnering with computing departments and organizations to provide specialized knowledge, leaders, and opportunities.

Funder: Google Explore CSR, workshop collaborators, and AccessComputing

Summer Academy for Advancing Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Computing

The Summer Academy was an academically challenging program designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students with skills in math or science who may be considering careers in computing, with the goal of encouraging them to consider college majors and careers in computing fields. The Summer Academy occurred annually at the University of Washington (UW) between 2007 and 2013.

Funder: National Science Foundation, various foundations, and AccessComputing

Saturday Computing Experience

The Saturday Computing Experience was an eight-week program held in the spring at the University of Washington for local high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The accessible program introduces students to computers and computer programming with the goal of encouraging them to consider college majors and careers in computing fields. The program ran for three years, 2011 - 2013.

Funder: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and AccessComputing