In SAN BERNARDINO, California, a group of scientists and students embarked on a challenging field trip to Lost Lake. The path was rugged, with sharp rocks and holes, requiring some to use canes or assistance to navigate. For those unable to make the journey, a drone provided a view of the narrow, blue lake.
Led by University of Florida geologist Anita Marshall, the outing aimed to showcase the obstacles faced by disabled researchers and how these barriers can be overcome. The diverse group included scientists with sight, hearing, and mobility impairments, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in scientific endeavors.
The excursion took place along the San Andreas Fault, organized by Marshall’s group, the International Association for Geoscience Diversity, and other organizations striving to enhance accessibility in fieldwork and laboratory settings. Western Michigan University paleontologist Taormina Lepore emphasized the need for empathy and inclusivity in the scientific community, noting the value of diverse perspectives.
Despite comprising only 3% of the science, technology, engineering, and math workforce, individuals with disabilities face significant challenges in academia and research settings. Outdated facilities and lack of accommodations often deter disabled scientists from pursuing careers in STEM fields. Alyssa Paparella, a biology doctoral student at Baylor College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of creating inclusive environments in science buildings to foster diversity and talent.
Mark Leddy, formerly involved in disability-related grants at the National Science Foundation, emphasized the unique problem-solving skills that researchers with disabilities bring to the table. By overcoming personal barriers, these individuals demonstrate resilience and creativity crucial for scientific innovation.
Engineering professor Brad Duerstock at Purdue University spearheaded the design of an accessible biomedical lab, incorporating features like open sink areas for wheelchair access. These modifications not only benefit disabled researchers but also contribute to a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.
In conclusion, fostering inclusivity and accessibility in scientific research is essential for empowering individuals with disabilities to contribute their valuable perspectives and skills to the STEM community.
Pull up. The cost of making a lab more accessible varies depending on how extensive the changes are, Duerstock said. Some schools set aside money for improvements and science organizations can offer grants.
Accessibility in the outdoors
On the California geology field trip, the group explored the lake carved into the landscape by the San Andreas Fault, where the grating of two tectonic plates can cause earthquakes.
The group included rock enthusiasts at all different stages of their careers. A handful were students. Others were professors, eager to explore the outdoors in a group they could trust to look after them.
Central Connecticut State University professor Jennifer Piatek, who uses a wheelchair, saw the lake through drone footage and used a pocket lens to examine rocks brought back by other participants.
She said it was nice to be part of a community that anticipated her needs. For example, their bus pulled forward to park at a flatter location to make it easier for her to get off.
“You can learn a lot from images and maps, but really you need to get to the space to be in it,” said Piatek, who studies planetary geology.
Lepore, a neurodivergent person with low vision, scanned rocks using an artificial intelligence app that described their color and shape out loud.
“Nature is not inherently accessible,” she said. “Nature just doesn’t have ramps and the kinds of things that we might wish it had. But there are so many workarounds and ways that we as geoscientists can make things truly open.”
Bushra Hussaini uses tips from the field trips to support interns and volunteers with disabilities at New York’s American Museum of Natural History, where she works. She said the supportive community of geologists is what keeps her coming back. “We learn from each other and we help each other,” she said.
Before heading out, Marshall urged the participants to ask for a hand or a shoulder to lean on if needed. She and others from the organization have been leading field trips every year as an offshoot from the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting.
As a doctoral student, Marshall would go on field trips with her peers only to wait back in the van, frustrated, because the organizers hadn’t thought about how to accommodate her disabilities.
She wants things to be different for the next generation of scientists.
“The whole point of these little day trips is to just plant that seed out there,” Marshall said, “that there’s another way forward.”
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AP video journalist Eugene Garcia contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
