Oceanographic Research Vessel Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities - Track RDE-FRI

项目摘要提案部分目标和方法海洋研究船（orv）是科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）研究和教育的重要组成部分，但残疾人（行动能力、听力、视觉和认知障碍）进入海洋研究船（orv）受到物理障碍(舷梯、船舶行走路径、垂直通道、停泊和厕所设施、通信、和文化障碍（无知和态度）。在由残疾人、船舶运营商、造船厂、船舶设计师和学术界组成的多元化指导委员会的参与下，该项目将通过评估orv及其支持的科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）教育计划的可及性程度，并制定具体的解决方案，促进障碍的消除。结果将纳入《海洋学研究船无障碍最佳实践指南》，并分发给利益相关者。该项目将通过开发横切解决方案，将客船行业的经验教训应用于orv，并将结果传播给利益相关者，从而提高对船上可达性的认识和理解。PI是一名有执照的专业工程师和造船师，也是客船可达性方面的专家，他将利用他的专业知识、经验和综合资源，探索创造性和原创的概念，以消除制度和船上的障碍。更广泛的影响扩大机会并使残疾人能够参与海洋学研究和教育是该项目的实质，它将通过消除物理和文化障碍来加强海洋学研究和教育的基础设施。成果将以经验教训和最佳做法的形式广泛传播，以加强对残疾人面临的挑战的科学、技术和文化理解和认识。整个社会将受益于项目成果的转移，使全国1100艘渡轮和游览船队更容易为通勤者和休闲船民使用。

Project Summary Proposal Section BObjectives and MethodsOceanographic research vessels (ORVs) are a critical element of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and education, but their access bypersons with disabilities (mobility, hearing, visual, and cognitive impairments) isconstrained by physical barriers (gangways, paths of travel about the vessel, verticalaccess, berthing and toilet facilities, communications, and signage) and cultural barriers(ignorance and attitudes).With the participation of a diverse steering committee of persons with disabilities, vesseloperators, shipyards, ship designers, and academia, the project will facilitate theremoval of barriers by assessing the degree of accessibility of ORVs and the science,technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs they support,and developing specific solutions for barrier removal. The results will be incorporated inan OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSEL ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE of BestPractices and disseminated to stakeholders.Intellectual MeritThe project will advance knowledge and understanding of shipboard accessibility bydeveloping crosscutting solutions, applying lessons learned from the passenger vesselindustry to ORVs, and disseminating results to stakeholders. The PI is a licensedProfessional Engineer and naval architect, and an expert in passenger vesselaccessibility, who will use his expertise, experience, and comprehensive resources toexplore creative and original concepts for removing institutional and shipboard barriers.Broader ImpactBroadening opportunities and enabling the participation of persons with disabilities inoceanographic research and education is the essence of this project, which willenhance the infrastructure for oceanographic research and education by removingphysical and cultural barriers. Results, in the form of lessons leaned and bestpractices, will be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific, technological, and culturalunderstanding and awareness of challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Societyat large will benefit by the transfer of project results to make the nation's 1,100 ferry andexcursion vessel fleet more accessible to commuters and recreational boaters.