Opinion: Disabled scientists are often left out of academia. The NIH can help change that
While the NIH has been working toward inclusion of underrepresented groups in the scientific workforce, disabled people have been mostly overlooked in those missions.
Despite being the largest minority in the nation, disabled people like us have been structurally and institutionally obstructed from entering research-dominated fields. When they do manage to break through, they are seldom given the support and accommodations needed to sustain employment and thrive in their professional lives.
As we have experienced, including people with disabilities in academic leadership and decision-making positions can lead to innovation, creative problem-solving, and insight across scientific, policy, teaching, and administration areas.
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