Phys.Org
Provided by University of Delaware
April, 27, 2012
Karl Booksh points to data collected by the National
Science Foundation (NSF) showing that Americans with disabilities make
up some 10-15 percent of the population but account for less than 1
percent of those earning doctoral degrees in the sciences. Now, the UD
professor of chemistry and biochemistry is exploring ways to change
that.
Booksh, who recently was appointed to two committees of science
organizations addressing disability issues, notes that educators
nationally are seeking to expand the number of students in STEM
(science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and to
diversify that group. Initiatives have been developed to support and
mentor members of such underrepresented groups as women, African
Americans, Latinos and first-generation college students, but those with disabilities often seem to be overlooked, he says.
"Of all the underrepresented minorities in science and engineering,
students and professionals with disabilities are the only group where
it's still common to hear people question whether they are capable of
doing the work," Booksh says.
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Posted
Apr 27 2012, 02:20 PM
by
BusyBee