Aarnio, Alicia

Bieryla, Allyson

Burgasser, Adam

Cabrera Salazar, Nicole

Cash, Jennifer

Choi, Hyunseop

Corrales, Lia

Diaz Merced, Wanda

Knierman, Karen

Monkiewicz, Jacqueline

Murphy, Nicholas

Noel-Storr, Jake

Nordhaus, Jason

Sauda Bovill, Mia

Strauss, Alan

Tuttle, Sarah

Young, Patrick

English

One outcome of the 2015 Inclusive Astronomy conference was the establishment ofan accessibility/disability advocacy group within professional, US-based astronomy,organized by a coalition of disabled astronomers and allies and is supported by theAmerican Astronomical Society (AAS). While the Working Group on Accessibility andDisability (WGAD) has focused on AAS-led initiatives to increase the accessibility ofpublications, databases, and professional meetings, there is an urgent need toexpand these accessibility efforts beyond the professional society and into the widerastronomical community. Our long-term goals include proactively designing learningand working environments to be as accessible as possible, the removal of existingphysical, technological, and pedagogical barriers to access, and provision of greatersupport for the career progress, promotion, and retention of disabled astronomersand educators. Progress toward these goals can be made by establishing and thensustaining a culture of inclusion in which all identities and intersections of identityare equally represented, while recognizing that progress which liberates oneidentity group may not liberate another in the same way. In the decades since thepassage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it has become clear thatacademic departments and research institutions will only undertake the necessarycultural and infrastructure changes if motivated by clear guidelines from fundingorganizations or ADA non-compliance lawsuits.In this white paper, we outline the major barriers to access within the educationaland professional practice of astronomy. We present current best practices forinclusivity and accessibility, including classroom practices, institutional culture,support for infrastructure creation, hiring processes, and outreach initiatives. Wepresent specific ways—beyond simple compliance with the ADA—that funding agencies, astronomers, and institutions can work together to make astronomy as afield more accessible, inclusive, and equitable. In particular, funding agenciesshould include the accessibility of institutions during proposal evaluation, holdinstitutions accountable for inaccessibility, and support efforts to gather data on thestatus and progress of astronomers and astronomy students with disabilities

ARTS repository - University of Groningen

Accessible Astronomy: Policies, Practices, and Strategies to Increase Participation of Astronomers with Disabilities

https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/90463077/1907.04943.pdf

Accessible Astronomy: Policies, Practices, and Strategies to Increase Participation of Astronomers with Disabilities

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

ARTS repository - University of Groningen