Institute for Accessible Science (IAS): Advancing Inclusion of Persons with Disab

描述（由申请人提供）：增加有身体限制的个人学习并最终享受生物医学科学职业的手段，需要创造一个环境和实验室辅助技术（AT），不仅可以建立他们的经验，还可以建立他们在进行典型生物医学科学活动时的信心。我们建议建立无障碍科学研究所（IAS），该研究所将针对并打破残疾人（PWDs）参与生物医学研究的身体和态度障碍。IAS使命的核心将是创建IAS- hub，这是一个独特的网络基础设施，用于共享信息、模型模拟和资源，将作为推动机构转型的平台。这个强大的基于网络的互动社区将帮助残疾人解决在生物医学科学领域的教育管道中遇到的问题。IAS-HUB将收集和追踪残疾人士的信息和其他资源，并为残疾人士、研究人员和教育工作者提供一个互动论坛，以交流信息，提供网络研讨会、在线研讨会和互动实验室模拟培训。透过残疾资讯中心，我们会与残疾人士沟通，并协助他们选择教育机构和课程、职业，以及与残疾有关的事宜。IAS- HUB亦会为残疾人士提供资源，帮助他们在教室、实验室和房屋的建筑无障碍方面，面对教育和制度上的困难；交通运输;金融支持;医疗需求;以及目前生物医学科学部门对它们的态度。此外，我们将为残疾人创建一个沉浸式实验室培训环境（ABIL）来练习AT，使他们能够尽可能独立地执行生物医学研究中常用的实验室技术。预计这些干预措施不仅会增加残疾人进入生物医学科学研究的知识和信心，而且还将在赋予残疾人权利以要求在科学课程和研究实验室中提供更多便利方面发挥关键作用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Increasing the means for individuals with physical limitations to study - and ultimately enjoy a career in - biomedical science requires creating a setting and lab assistive technology (AT) that build not only their experience but also their confidence in performing typical biomedical science activities. We propose to establish the Institute for Accessible Science (IAS), which will target and break down physical and attitudinal impediments to the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in biomedical research. Central to the IAS mission will be the creation of the IAS-HUB - a unique cyberinfrastructure for sharing information, model simulations, and resources - that will serve as a platform to drive institutional transformation. This powerful web-based interactive community will assist PWDs with solving problems encountered in the education pipeline toward a career in biomedical science. The IAS-HUB will collect information on and track PWDs and other resources as well as provide an interactive forum for PWDs, researchers, and educators to exchange information, offer webinars, online workshops, and interactive laboratory training simulations. Through the IAS-HUB, we will communicate with and assist individual PWDs on educational institution and curriculum choices, careers, and disability-related concerns. IAS- HUB will also serve as a resource for PWDs facing educational and institutional difficulties regarding architectural accessibility of classrooms, laboratories, and housing; transportation; financial support; healthcare needs; and current attitudes toward them in biomedical science departments. In addition, we will create an immersive laboratory training environment (ABIL) for PWDs to practice with AT, enabling them to perform as independently as possible lab techniques commonly used during biomedical research. These interventions are expected not only to increase the know-how and confidence of PWDs to enter biomedical science research but also will play a critical role in empowering PWDs to request greater accommodations in science curricula and research laboratories. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Diversification of our nation's biomedical research community is an essential step toward the identification of innovative solutions to promote the improved human health of the U.S. population. We propose to promote the diversification of the biomedical workforce by accelerating the entry and success of persons with disabilities in science careers.