Disability is a universal human experience – at some point in all of our lives, we will be disabled, whether that disability is permanent or temporary.
Therefore, it is important to know what resources exist so we can all advocate for ourselves and continue to excel in our jobs. Additionally, it is beneficial for those in positions of power to know about these resources so we can create accessible workspaces for all. As a bonus, accommodations often benefit everyone regardless of ability (see: the curb-cut effect).
One of the things that is great about a career in science is that academic work hours and work modes can be very flexible, which often benefits people with disabilities (and people without disabilities – see??). However, accessibility in science is systematically limited, thus limiting science itself by making it harder for people with disabilities to contribute to the process of discovery. Therefore, advocating for ourselves and for others is a critical contribution to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in science.
What does it mean to be disabled / have a disability?
Our government defines a person with a legally-protected disability as “[having] a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; [having] a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission); or [being] perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn)” (ADA.gov). As an example, some common disabilities include cancer, diabetes, autism, major depressive disorder, hearing loss, and mobility disabilities. It is difficult to find a definitive list of disabilities covered by the ADA for what I assume are legal reasons, so I encourage you to do a bit of googling yourself to learn more about what things are considered “major life activities” and what it means for them to be “substantially limited.”
How can I advocate for myself if I have a disability or become disabled?
As a state institution, we are required to provide reasonable accommodations. The process to request accommodations is different for students and employees: learn more about UMass Chan’s procedures at this link. To request an accommodation, you must disclose your disability to the university, but you are not required to disclose it to your supervisor. It is important to remember that if an accommodation request is denied, the university must provide actual real data indicating that it would pose an “undue burden.” If you aren’t sure what kind of accommodations you can ask for, check out the Job Accommodation Network’s website (I LOVE this website – I learn so much from it!). Visiting this website is informative for all of us, regardless of our abilities. It has a ton of great information about how to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace.
What can I do to support people with disabilities in my workplace?
According to our own DIO, “Sometimes, we can inadvertently create an unwelcoming environment for people with disabilities. Making everyone feel welcome by building personal connections and trusting relationships leads to more productive teams and outcomes.” They provide more details in their Welcoming Environment Disability Resource Guide (intranet). Some of my favorite quotes from this document include:
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“Use a community or individual’s preferred disability language” (e.g. some people and communities prefer person-first language while others prefer identity-first language).
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“Don’t give unsolicited medical, emotional, or practical advice to a disabled person/person with a disability.”
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“Please be respectful and refrain from commenting on behaviors that may seem unusual but have no impact on other people.”
There are of course lots of other ideas and strategies to be found elsewhere on the internet and on social media, but these are the official policies and guidelines of UMass Chan. In general, best practices we are all familiar with from other areas of DEI work can be applied here, including having an open mind and seeking to learn new things.
Some accommodations aren’t free – how can I fund them?
There are several avenues to acquire funding to support accommodations for scientists. NIH Diversity Supplements can be used to fund the work of investigators with disabilities! This can include money to purchase necessary equipment or funding for an assistant to help with required tasks. Don’t be afraid to think big!! The National Science Foundation funds Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) that can similarly be tacked on to a regular proposal or an existing award. The Foundation for Science and Disability also has funds available. There are also smaller discipline-specific awards –for example, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD) has a travel award for trainees to present at a national meeting.
Please familiarize yourself with these resources and share them with people around you – not everyone reads this newsletter, so be sure to share this information with your colleagues!
To see more resources, check out our Resource Page for Scientists with Disabilities on the BMB website.
-- Haley Barlow, PhD
