The involvement of disabled persons in science education is critical to the Nation's scientific enterprise. The potential of this minority has begun to be recognized however the actual level of participation remains low. This project seeks to bring into focus the factors influencing the successful entry of disabled persons into the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. The Critical Incident technique will be used to gather data on "barriers" to working in the sciences and how these barriers were overcome from 150 disabled working scientists and from 150 disabled college students. This information will be used to develop booklets of two types: career decision and "making it" booklets for pre- college students, and an Achiever's book (profiles of disabled scientists who can be used as role models) for secondary and post-secondary students. American Institutes for Research will collaborate with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (as subcontractor) in carring out this research on a national basis. AAAS will participate in the selection of sample, analysis of data, and in the development and dissemination of materials. The proposed research is challenging and will provide needed information to a critical minority group. The proposers are highly qualified and the research has been carefully designed. The reviewers were enthusiastic about this project and recommended funding. The project is planned for a period of 24 months.
