The purpose of this project is to study the issues involved in underrepresentation of undergraduate students with disabilities in science and technology from the perspective of senior high school and college undergraduate students with disabilities, parents of students with disabilities, college science and engineering program administrators and faculty, secondary special education program administrators and teachers, disabled student service program directors, scientists and engineers with disabilities, and representatives of business/industry. The study is identifying barriers to career access opportunities and developing strategies to remove or overcome them. The project, involving four national organizations, will conduct three regional workshops for approximately 300 invited participants using the nominal group technique process to generate, clarify, and prioritize the barriers and strategies information. The project will prepare and disseminate conference proceedings and a workshop (3,500 copies) to facilitate replication of the workshop model in all areas of the country. The project's strengths include its potential impact on on the target population, use of inter-organizational networks, support and involvement of business and industry, and potential for replication and sustained activities.
