Summary
Scientists with disabilities are addressing barriers in labs and fieldwork by promoting accessibility through advocacy and creative solutions.
Disabled people comprise only 3% of the STEM workforce, partly because labs, classrooms, and field sites are often inaccessible.
Many are told they can’t work safely, says Mark Leddy, a former National Science Foundation official.
Groups like the International Association for Geoscience Diversity organize inclusive field trips, using tools like drones and assistive apps.
Advocates stress that accessibility benefits everyone and emphasize the value of disabled scientists’ problem-solving skills and perspectives.
This is great stuff. I personally had to change my dream career path because of a disability and I can’t begin to imagine how happy I’d be if I could still access it.