The Alliance of Persons with Disabilities for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (TAPDINTO-STEM)
Overview
For the U.S. to be globally competitive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, talent must be developed in all sectors of our population, including persons with disabilities (PWD) whose inclusion in STEM fields remains a challenge. Leveraging upon past successful regional National Science Foundation funded programs focused on training STEM students with disabilities (SWD), we have drastically scaled up these efforts to meet this challenge nationally through the formation of The Alliance of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Intersectionality for Inclusion, Networking, and Transition Opportunities in STEM (TAPDINTO-STEM) consisting of colleges and universities, organizations, and government and corporate partners grouped into 6 hubs.
Hubs: States in which Hub headquarters are located,
The Islands: HI
West Coast: WA
Mountain Region: AZ
Mid-West: MO (Midwest also serves as the Backbone Organization). Please visit our TAPDINTO-STEM website.
South East: AL
North East: OH
Vision
Through the collective impact of TAPDINTO-STEM, postsecondary students with disabilities nationwide will be empowered to succeed in STEM disciplines and enter and remain in the STEM workforce.
Mission
The mission of TAPDINTO-STEM is to enhance the existing academic and social practices of institutions of higher education and the STEM workforce to produce a robust collaborative infrastructure that also addresses intersectionality, bias, and discrimination in disciplines to widen pathways for persons with disabilities (PWD).
Purpose
To increase the rate of persistence and graduation of students with disabilities in STEM degree programs and increase their rate of transition to the STEM workforce.
Objective
To increase the quantity of students with disabilities who complete associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in STEM, and enter and remain in the STEM workforce.
Programs
Programs will include the following interventions: Mentoring Bridge Model, internships, research experiences in STEM, social science research, conferences, graduate fairs, professional development, capacity building institutes, consulting, student organizations, evaluation, and high school academic enrichment activities.
Alliance Impact (2021–2024) and National Reach
- 300+ unique students reached, 928+participants mentored, 120+ degrees earned in STEM.
- 2 national conferences hosted, 12 publications, 30+ conference presentations, 10+ faculty & staff training webinars.
- Students increased their level of engagement; sense of belonging; mentoring satisfaction; self-advocacy;
- Career efficacy; and persistence in STEM.
- 37 colleges/universities, across 19 states, DC, and the Mariana Islands.
- 32 four-year colleges and universities and 5 community colleges.
- 6 Regional Hubs: Islands, West Coast, Mountain, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast
- 14 Non-academic partners.