NSF Includes: Southeast Alliance for Persons with Disabilities in STEM (SEAPD-STEM) 

Persons with disabilities are one of the most significantly underrepresented groups in STEM education and employment, comprising a disproportionately smaller percentage of STEM degrees and jobs compared to their percentages in the U.S. population.

1. To increase the quality and quantity of SWDs completing associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in STEM

2. To increase quality and quantity of post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty with disabilities in STEM fields 

3. To improve academic performance of students with disabilities

4. To enhance communication and collaboration among post-secondary instititutions in addression the education of SWDs 

5.  To assess project activities to understand what works to support the matriculation and retention of STEM SWDs in science. 

The Alliance has supported students through peer mentoring support, STEM faculty support, monthly meetings, cluster meetings, research internship opportunities, annual conferences, and financial support applied towards tuition and fees. 

The project aims to ensure the success of persons with disabilities in STEM, and increase awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities.