Thread by @NaturalistBerni, This #DisabilityPrideMonth, I'll be sharing actionable tips for how you (yes, you!) [...]

This #DisabilityPrideMonth, I'll be sharing actionable tips for how you (yes, you!) can make STEM learning & workspaces more inclusive to those of us who are #DisabledInSTEM.

#AltText will be available for every graphic. New tips will be added to this thread.

For more information on why using a microphone is an #accessibility issue, please read this post over at
@chronicle:

https://bit.ly/2ZFrwrj

The #GRE is expensive, biased & a poor indicator of success in research. Getting approved for #accommodations takes 6 weeks & you need a dr. note (& therefore, insurance). If you're absent from your scheduled test (hello, unpredictable symptoms!), you forfeit your fee. #GREexit

There are very few resources about disability discrimination & the #GRE, besides anecdotes from individuals. But here is some information on why it has no place in an inclusive program & how you can #GREexit, from @AGU_Eos: https://eos.org/opinions/geogrexit-why-geosciences-programs-are-dropping-the-gre

#GeoGRExit: Why Geosciences Programs Are Dropping the GRE - Eos

Geoscience graduate programs are increasingly abandoning the controversial test as an admissions requirement, a welcome development for equity and inclusion in the field. How can your school be next?

https://eos.org/opinions/geogrexit-why-geosciences-programs-are-dropping-the-gre

Mandatory attendance is ableist & it penalizes students with disabilities, those who are financially insecure, students with children, and others.

Generally, professors aren't required to waive attendance even if it is in the student's accommodation letter. #AcademicAbleism

A disabled student's perspective on attendance policies: "The truth is, even if you intend to accommodate disabled students, what you put on your syllabus matters."

https://themighty.com/2020/01/attendance-policies-hurt-disabled-students/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20attendance%20policies,disabled%20and%20chronically%20ill%20students.

Why Attendance Policies Are Ableist AF

After her Twitter thread about the subject went viral, college student Molly Emily shares how attendance policies hurt disabled students.

https://themighty.com/2020/01/attendance-policies-hurt-disabled-students/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20attendance%20policies,disabled%20and%20chronically%20ill%20students

Disabled people miss out on events & meetings for many reasons: inaccessible rooms, long events without breaks, the cost & complications of travel. In addition to addressing the #accessibility, or lack thereof, of the events themselves, also offer virtual participation.

For tips on how to offer virtual participation, check out this post over at @RootedInRights: https://rootedinrights.org/virtual-event-participation-is-key-for-accessibility/

Virtual Event Participation is Key for Accessibility - Rooted in Rights

I can’t attend most events in person because of my disability, and I’m not alone. I’ve lost out on career opportunities including work meetings and conferences. I’ve lost out on opportunities for...

https://rootedinrights.org/virtual-event-participation-is-key-for-accessibility/

Field trips/camps must be accessible (don't get me started on them being required). Remember, some participants may have an #InvisibleDisability.

Consider accessible research sites. If you can't, ask what opportunities you *can* offer to prospective disabled students/employees.

@AccessibleGEO is working on accessibility in the sciences and they host an accessible geology field trip annually.

https://theiagd.org/

Here is a second resource about accessible #FieldWork and proper accommodations!

https://washington.edu/doit/fieldwork

Could a person who uses a wheelchair work at your lab bench? Are safety instructions easy to find, in a large font, and printed using high contrast colors? Are you making it clear to potential students and employees that you will work to accommodate them? #Inclusion #STEM

I could make dozens of graphics about creating an accessible and accommodating lab and maybe one day I will. But here is a good resource from @UW to get you started!

https://www.washington.edu/doit/science-labs

*there are no public domain images of accessible labs

A student with #BrainFog or #Anxiety may be at a disadvantage when their learning is evaluated by exams. A student with #ChronicIllness may have trouble getting to group project meetings. But don't just accommodate disabled students...give all students a choice!

Flexibility benefits everyone & it prevents disabled students from being singled out by their accommodations.

@EdSurge hosted a chat on this topic a while back-get the highlights at the link & please share any alt assignments you offer in your courses! https://bit.ly/301xO51

How Can Alternative Assignments Effectively Assess Student Learning? #DLNchat - EdSurge News

Do exams still serve a purpose? Could tests be replaced by project-based work? How do we move beyond grades to more meaningful demonstrations of ...

https://bit.ly/301xO51

Students! You can help make courses accessible by volunteering to be a notetaker. Some schools will give you credit for volunteering & you can list it on your resume! Info is generally available on your university's disability services website...

...but for now, here is some info on why disabled students need notetakers and the benefits and responsibilities of volunteering, from @NCState.

https://dro.dasa.ncsu.edu/volunteer-notetakers/

Remote work benefits many people. For example, those who are managing new symptoms, who need to stay close to medical care, or who are trying to re-enter the workforce. Create and advertise (permanent!) remote positions. #WFH #STEM

Tips for remote postdocs, @PLOSCompBiol:
https://bit.ly/2WCyugi

Tips for remote meetings, @theAGU:
https://bit.ly/32Kb64r

Tips for remote internships, @USGS:
https://bit.ly/3hdaPdX

Disabled people react to #Covid19 #WFH, @TeenVogue:
https://bit.ly/30wb25A

Providing both written and verbal instruction is an easy way to create a more inclusive environment. This benefits everyone but may be especially important for those who are a part of the #neurodiversesquad!

Unnecessary barriers to work: #9to5. Commutes. M-F schedule.

#FlexibleWork allows disabled people to:

stay near medical care

live in a certain climate

work during their most productive times

work around appts & treatments

pace themselves

& more

#DisabledInSTEM

Unnecessary barriers to work: #9to5. Commutes. M-F schedule. #FlexibleWork allows disabled people to: stay near medical care live in a certain climatework during their most productive timeswork around appts & treatmentspace themselves& more #DisabledInSTEM

Flexible work is necessary *and* it is advantageous.

Employers have reported fewer absences, increased productivity, and better retention of valuable employees using #FlexibleWork #WFH #Ditch9to5

Source: https://bit.ly/2ZNerh3

A tale as old as time itself.

I'm not linking a resource for this one, they're out there if you want them. My reason...I don't want to subject myself to the think pieces by able-bodied people about laptop use in class. Just trust us disabled people on this. #Ableism

The screenreaders that blind and visually impaired people use will read each word in a hashtag individually if #CamelCase is used. A quick and easy tip for #DisabilityPrideMonth!

CW // Ableist Language

"they suffer from..." "have you tried essential oils" "lame" "crazy" "blinded by ignorance"

I bet most of us perpetuate ableism and cause harm daily with our words. Get educated...

#AcademicAbleism #DisabilityVisibility #AcademicChatter

... here are some places to start.

Disabled people aren't your inspiration: https://bit.ly/2Dbq1cM

Microaggressions I, personally, encounter a lot:
https://bit.ly/3hA7Exi

A (non-exhaustive) list of ableist language:
https://bit.ly/32UFGrZ

I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much

Stella Young is a comedian and journalist who happens to go about her day in a wheelchair — a fact that doesn't, she'd like to make clear, automatically turn her into a noble inspiration to all...

https://bit.ly/2Dbq1cM

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