SGER: Project ENABLE: Enabling the Disabled Greater Participation in Computing through Early Intervention

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM

Investigators

Abstract

New Mexico State University proposes to explore the potential for an intervention that would increase the numbers of physically disabled persons, specifically those with spinal cord injuries (SCI), who participate in computing-related degree programs and careers. They propose to implement an introductory computer course that is integrated into the context of a rehabilitation (rehab) hospital. By choosing this venue, disabled persons will be introduced to computing rather than leaving the introduction to chance. Further, by focusing on the spinal cord injured population, a large percentage of the target group will be of college and/or working age. The program will be coordinated with hospital staff and integrated into patient education received during rehabilitation. The course will cover the basic computer use and the use of assistive technology, web development and programming using the Alice programming language. This award will pilot the course three times and will develop a plan to seek further funding in order to improve and scale the program to reach a wider community, including military rehabilitation facilities.