We are the DisAbility Inclusion Affinity Group (DIAG) of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we have some resources to share with you. The DIAG seeks to connect members for peer mentoring, professional development, and sharing best practices for navigating a successful career as a disabled person, caregiver, or ally.
When we started searching for accommodations, a lot of us didn’t know where to start. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a starting point and outline resources to help you achieve an equitable environment.
We categorized the accommodations into three groups: lifestyle, academic, and industry. These accommodations are based on our experiences and research and are not legal advice. Furthermore, the accommodations we list are not all-encompassing, and we recommend consulting with professionals in your community.
People to Contact in Your Community
Academia
- Student Disability Services
- ADA Coordinator
- Ombudsman (student advocate/mediator)
- Equity and Title IX Office
Industry
- Direct Management (to coordinate fulfilling accommodations)
- Human Resources
- Health Services
- Employee Resource Groups (if you have one)
It may also be helpful to reach out to national organizations (see the resources list at the bottom), such as the DIAG, for advice. We hope you find this helpful! If you are interested in joining the DisAbility Inclusion Affinity Group, we would love to have you. You can find us on our Linktree.
Accommodations
Campus Lifestyle Accommodations
- Dorms (e.g., private room, ground floor room, room close to campus, room away from loud noise)
- Dietary accommodations (e.g., ability to pre-order allergen-friendly meals, access to dining hall pantry with allergen-friendly foods, opt-out from meal plan)
- Automatic door opener
- ADA compliant bathroom (e.g., roll-in shower, shower bench, grab bars)
- Modified window openers
- Lower closet shelves, peephole, adjustable desk
- Visual fire alarm and doorbell
Academia-Specific Accommodations
- Priority registration
- Service animal on campus
- Sign language interpreter
- Textbooks and assignments in alternative formats (e.g., braille, large print, audio, and online)
- Written presentation of oral instructions, questions, etc.
- Ability to record lectures (e.g., Livescribe pen, Glean app)
- Ability to attend class virtually (e.g., Zoom)
- Student notetaker
- Lab accommodations (e.g., lab assistant, adaptive lab equipment)
- Testing: computer access, extra time, scribe, reader, accessible formats
- Text-to-speech, dictation software, braille display, screen magnifier
- Allowance for eating, drinking, or taking medication during class
- Allowance for occasional absences/tardies (e.g., make-up quizzes/exams)
- Preferential seating (e.g., close to professor, close to front/back/aisleways)
Industry-Specific Accommodations
- Access to a standing desk
- Ergonomic office workspace accommodations (e.g., ergonomic mouse or keyboard)
- Captioning during meetings
- Sign language interpreters
- Access to sensory tools
- An assigned desk in a flex workspace
- Access to a reservable private meeting space and a distraction-free work environment
- Flexible work hours or hybrid arrangements
Plus, check out this recent episode of SWE’s official podcast, Diverse, to hear DIAG Lead Jenevieve Surkin’s conversation with two engineering professionals on how universities and workplaces can do better and why requesting accommodations is about creating equal access and opportunity.
Resources
Information on Accommodations and Materials
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Provides guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues, searchable by topic, limitation, and accommodation.
National Center for Accessible Materials (NCAM)
Develops and promotes accessible educational materials for students with disabilities.
Job and Internship Resources
JAN Job Seeker Resources – Finding a Job That Is Right for You
ASK Earn Job Seeker Resources
Offers resources and strategies specifically for job seekers with disabilities.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
A government-run initiative that connects students and recent graduates with disabilities to intern- and entry-level federal employment opportunities.
Disability:in NextGen Leaders
Leadership program for emerging professionals with disabilities where interested college students and recent grads are paired with industry mentors.
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): EntryPoint!
Connects students with disabilities to paid internships and STEM career opportunities.
Lime Connect
Offers mentorship, networking, and career opportunities for students and professionals with disabilities.
AccessComputing
Provides resources and support to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields.
RespectAbility
Provides career development resources and advocacy for people with disabilities.
National Organization on Disability (NOD)
Offers resources and programs to increase participation of people with disabilities in the workplace.
Government Resources
Disability and Employment | U.S. Department of Labor
Offers resources and information to support the employment of people with disabilities.
ADA National Network
Provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
AAHD Federal Disability Resources
Links to key federal agencies and programs supporting people with disabilities.
CDC Disability and Health
Offers data, tools, and resources to promote health equity and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
Advocates for disability rights and provides guidance on legal protections and accessibility.
For more advice on being a disabled engineer, get connected with the DIAG by visiting our Linktree.
You can also subscribe to our AG’s updates by logging into your member portal and editing your Communication Preferences.
