SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The journey to Lost Lake was both steep and rugged, featuring sharp stones and deep fissures along the way. A collective of scientists and students navigated the challenging path, some utilizing canes while others lent assistance. For those unable to make the physically demanding trek, a drone provided a view of the lake’s serene blue waters from above.
This field trip aimed to shed light on the obstacles that researchers with disabilities often encounter, while also exploring ways to surmount these barriers. “Just because you can’t proceed in the same manner as someone else doesn’t mean you can’t participate,” stated Anita Marshall, a geologist from the University of Florida who organized the outing. Participants included scientists with a spectrum of disabilities related to sight, hearing, and mobility.
Marshall’s initiative was hosted by her organization, the International Association for Geoscience Diversity, which, alongside similar groups, is dedicated to enhancing accessibility in both fieldwork and laboratory settings, ensuring that individuals with disabilities feel welcomed and supported within the scientific community.
Taormina Lepore, a paleontologist from Western Michigan University who participated in the trip, noted that the scientific community frequently prioritizes a singular, conventional approach to research and exploration. At Lost Lake, however, everyone had an opportunity to enjoy the scenery, regardless of their ability to reach the site physically.
“It’s really about empathy, as much as it is about science,” Lepore explained, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in research.
Addressing accessibility in research labs remains vital, as it was reported that individuals with disabilities constitute roughly 3% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, according to 2021 data from the National Science Foundation. Many scientists with disabilities attribute this underrepresentation to the inadequately designed labs, classrooms, and field sites, which do not accommodate their needs adequately. There’s a persisting belief among students and faculty that individuals with disabilities are unsafe in lab settings, as expressed by Mark Leddy, a former manager of disability-related grants at the National Science Foundation.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which was enacted in 1990, established essential regulations for the construction of new buildings and laboratories, such as the inclusion of ramps and wheelchair-accessible pathways. However, upgrading older facilities can often prove to be a complex and lengthy endeavor.
Alyssa Paparella, currently pursuing her doctorate in biology at Baylor College of Medicine, recounted her experiences founding an online community for scientists with disabilities. She shared that a science building at one of her previous institutions lacked automatic door buttons. “What does that signal about who is welcome in our laboratories?” she remarked. “That barrier represents a metaphorical front door they cannot even access.”
Reflecting on the value of researchers with disabilities, Leddy emphasized their unique life experiences, which foster essential problem-solving skills in lab environments. “If individuals do not feel welcomed or can’t access the space, then how can they bring their talents to the table?” he questioned.
At the University of Texas at Arlington, biomaterials engineer Venu Varanasi, who has low vision, makes lab navigation easier by utilizing high-contrast signage and ensuring cleanliness in his surroundings. He observed that these modifications benefit all students by reducing the likelihood of accidents.
“In confronting accessibility, you have the opportunity to innovate, not the issue of a setback,” he articulated.
At Purdue University in Indiana, engineering professor Brad Duerstock has been instrumental in creating accessible biomedical labs, which were designed with support from both the university and a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The adjustments included modifying under-sink cabinetry and fume hoods to facilitate wheelchair access. Duerstock noted that the expenditures associated with making laboratories more accessible can vary, but many institutions allocate funds for such enhancements, while science organizations also provide grants.
During the California geology field trip, participants had the chance to observe Lost Lake, a body of water reshaped by the San Andreas Fault, a region where tectonic plates occasionally shift, leading to earthquakes. The group brought together rock enthusiasts at varying stages of their careers, from students to seasoned professors, all eager to engage in outdoor exploration in an environment that fostered mutual support.
Central Connecticut State University’s Jennifer Piatek, who uses a wheelchair, enjoyed the experience of reviewing footage from a drone and inspecting rocks collected by her colleagues through a pocket lens. She expressed appreciation for being part of a community that considered her needs, mentioning how the bus was parked in a way that eased her disembarkation.
“You can gather a wealth of knowledge from images and maps, but truly, experiencing the location firsthand is irreplaceable,” Piatek, who specializes in planetary geology, noted.
Lepore, a neurodivergent individual with low vision, took advantage of an artificial intelligence app during the trip that described the characteristics of rocks audibly. “Nature is not inherently accessible; it doesn’t come with ramps or other conveniences. Yet, there are numerous alternatives and adaptations that we as geoscientists can cultivate to enhance access,” she reflected.
Bushra Hussaini, who applies insights gained from such field trips to assist interns and volunteers with disabilities at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, emphasized the supportive nature of the geological community. “We learn from one another and provide assistance,” she remarked.
Before the outing commenced, Marshall encouraged participants to reach out for assistance whenever needed. Her organization has been leading these inclusive field trips annually as an extension of the Geological Society of America’s meetings. After feeling excluded from past field trips due to inadequate accommodations, she is determined to facilitate a better experience for future scientists.
“The main goal of these excursions is to inspire innovative pathways for inclusivity in science,” Marshall said emphatically. “We want to plant a seed that encourages a different, more supportive approach.”
