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

B目标和方法海洋考察船(ORV)是科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)研究和教育的关键要素，但残疾人对海洋考察船的使用(行动、听力、视觉和认知障碍)受到物理障碍(通道、围绕船只的路径、垂直通道、停泊和厕所设施、通信和标志)和文化障碍(无知和态度)的限制。在一个由残疾人、船舶运营商、造船厂、船舶设计师和学术界组成的不同指导委员会的参与下，该项目将通过评估ORV的无障碍程度和科学、技术、工程和学术界来促进障碍的消除和他们支持的数学(STEM)教育项目，并开发消除障碍的具体解决方案。该项目将通过开发横向解决方案、将从客船行业学到的经验教训应用到ORV中，并将结果传播给利益相关者，从而促进对船舶可达性的了解和理解。PI是一名持有执照的专业工程师和造船专家，也是客船无障碍方面的专家，他将利用他的专业知识、经验和综合资源来探索创造性和原创性的概念，以消除机构和船上的障碍。广泛的影响扩大机会并使残疾人参与海洋研究和教育是这个项目的精髓，它将通过消除物理和文化障碍来加强海洋研究和教育的基础设施。将以吸取的经验教训和最佳做法的形式广泛传播成果，以加强对残疾人面临的挑战的科学、技术和文化知识的理解和认识。整个社会将受益于项目成果的转移，使全国1100艘渡轮和旅游船队更容易为通勤者和休闲船民所用。

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.