The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is based at the University of Washington (UW) in

Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

. Founded in 1992, DO-IT’s mission is to increase the successful participation of

people with disabilities Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, ...

postsecondary education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...

and careers, in

STEM Stem or STEM most commonly refers to: * Plant stem, a structural axis of a vascular plant * Stem group * Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics Stem or STEM can also refer to: Language and writing * Word stem, part of a word respon ...

(

science Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...

technology Technology is the application of Conceptual model, conceptual knowledge to achieve practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. The word ''technology'' can also mean the products resulting from such efforts, including both tangible too ...

engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

mathematics Mathematics is a field of study that discovers and organizes methods, Mathematical theory, theories and theorems that are developed and Mathematical proof, proved for the needs of empirical sciences and mathematics itself. There are many ar ...

) fields and careers, and in

computing Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computer, computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and the development of both computer hardware, hardware and softw ...

fields and careers throughout the U.S. It directs the national AccessSTEM program, and co-directs the national AccessComputing Alliance focused on engaging people with disabilities in computing fields. The Center is a unit of Accessible Technology Services of UW-IT at the University of Washington, a collaboration between the College of Engineering, the College of Education and UW-IT. Primary funding for DO-IT and its projects is provided by the

National Science Foundation The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an Independent agencies of the United States government#Examples of independent agencies, independent agency of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that su ...

, the State of Washington, and the

U.S. Department of Education The United States Department of Education is a United States Cabinet, cabinet-level department of the federal government of the United States, United States government, originating in 1980. The department began operating on May 4, 1980, havin ...

. It promotes accessibility and

universal design Universal design is the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to people, regardless of age, disability, or other factors. It emerged as a rights-based, anti-discrimination measure, which seeks to create design ...

learning Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, value (personal and cultural), values, Attitude (psychology), attitudes, and preferences. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, non-human animals, and ...

environments and instruction, including

Web accessibility Web accessibility, or eAccessibility,European CommissionCommunication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: eAccessibility, EC(2005)1095 pu ...

, through the online Center for Universal Design in Education (CUDE) and by creating, collecting and distributing publications, training materials, and tutorials for use by educators and faculty throughout the U.S. The Center works with international institutions and organizations to adapt its practices and programs for international application. For example, the

DO-IT Scholars Program The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) Center is based at the University of Washington, University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, Washington (state), Washington. Founded in 1992, DO-IT’s mission is to increase t ...

has been replicated in

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

as DO-IT Japan, a summer program hosted by the

University of Tokyo The University of Tokyo (, abbreviated as in Japanese and UTokyo in English) is a public research university in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1877 as the nation's first modern university by the merger of several pre-westernisation era ins ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

, through the leadership of

Seoul National University Seoul National University (SNU; ) is a public university, public research university in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the SKY (universities), SKY universities and a part of the Flagship Korean National Universities. The university's main c ...

and

Korea Nazarene University Korea Nazarene University is a Christian university located in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. Formation Korea Nazarene University was founded as Korea Nazarene Bible College in Seoul in 1954 by Donald Owens and his wife, Adeline, both American mis ...

, also hosts a similar summer study program in collaboration with the DO-IT Center.

History

The DO-IT Center was founded at the University of Washington in 1992 by Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler with a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Since its inception, DO-IT's mission has been to increase the successful participation of people with disabilities in postsecondary education and careers at local, regional, national (within the United States) and international levels. In 1992, with funding from NSF, DO-IT launched the first

. In 1999, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) funded the DO-IT Prof project, which created professional development materials and trained faculty and academic administrators in the U.S. to more fully include students with disabilities in their courses."AccessCollege: Systemic Change for Postsecondary Institutions"
DO-IT Center. Retrieved 2013-02-10. In 2005, OPE and the NSF funded DO-IT’s AccessCollege project. AccessCollege staff worked with a team of faculty and administrators representing twenty-three two- and four-year institutions in the U.S.; the project included creation of the web-based Center for Universal Design in Education (CUDE), publication of the book ''Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice'', and the training manual ''Building Capacity for a Welcoming and Accessible Postsecondary Institution''.

Programs

In 2006, with funding from the NSF, the DO-IT Center partnered with University of Washington's Department of Computer Science and Engineering to launch the AccessComputing Alliance, a nationwide program to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. In 2006, AccessComputing partners included

Gallaudet University Gallaudet University ( ) is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. It was the first school ...

in Washington, D.C.,

Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...

, the NSF Regional Alliances for Persons with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (hosted by the

University of Southern Maine The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with campuses in Gorham and Portland, Maine, United States. It is the southernmost university in the University of Maine System. It was founded as two separate state universities, Go ...

New Mexico State University New Mexico State University (NMSU or NM State) is a public, land-grant, research university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1888, it is the state's oldest public institution of higher education, and was the original land-g ...

and University of Washington), and American Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Accessible Computing. As of 2013, 32 postsecondary institutions and organizations are partnered with AccessComputing. The program provides summer research programs and internships open to all U.S. students.AccessComputing
DO-IT Center. Retrieved 2013-02-10) The DO-IT Center's programs are centered on the concept of identifying the "critical junctures" students with disabilities face on their path to postsecondary education and careers, and providing resources, projects and programs to help students successfully navigate these critical junctures (e.g., projects to develop STEM interests in students with disabilities at the "critical juncture" between high school and the transition to a four- or two-year postsecondary institution). DO-IT programs for students include AccessComputing, AccessSTEM, the

(for Washington State students), postsecondary preparation activities, and work-based experiences and internships.

Programs for Students with Disabilities

The Center serves students with a wide range of disabilities, including (but not limited to): * visual disabilities -

blindness Visual or vision impairment (VI or VIP) is the partial or total inability of visual perception. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment, visual impairment may cause the individual difficul ...

low vision Visual or vision impairment (VI or VIP) is the partial or total inability of visual perception. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment, visual impairment may cause the individual difficul ...

, and

color blindness Color blindness, color vision deficiency (CVD) or color deficiency is the decreased ability to color vision, see color or differences in color. The severity of color blindness ranges from mostly unnoticeable to full absence of color percept ...

physical disabilities A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy ...

cognitive disabilities There are a variety of disabilities affecting cognitive ability. This is a broad concept encompassing various Intellectual disability, intellectual or cognitive deficits, including intellectual disability (formerly called ''mental retardation'') ...

learning disabilities Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficulty ...

deafness Deafness has varying definitions in cultural and medical contexts. In medical contexts, the meaning of deafness is hearing loss that precludes a person from understanding spoken language, an audiological condition. In this context it is writte ...

and

hearing impairment Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to Hearing, hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to Lang ...

s *

traumatic brain injury A traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. TBI can be classified based on severity ranging from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI/concussion) to severe traumati ...

mental disorders A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness, a mental health condition, or a psychiatric disability, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. A mental disorder is ...

. The DO-IT Center runs a number of programs for students with disabilities. These programs include the nationwide AccessComputing program, the nationwide AccessSTEM program, the

for Washington State residents, activities with mentors, work-based learning experiences, and internships. The DO-IT Center describes its programs as helping students with disabilities: * move through "critical junctures" on their path to postsecondary degrees and careers * develop self-determination, self-advocacy, and postsecondary education work-readiness skills * learn to select and use

assistive technology Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for Disability, people with disabilities and the elderly. Disabled people often have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, ...

applications software Application software is any computer program that is intended for end-user use not operating, administering or programming the computer. An application (app, application program, software application) is any program that can be categorized as ...

, and Internet resources * network with peers and adult mentors * gain requisite knowledge to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The DO-IT Center website provides online resources for students with disabilities and their parents, educators, employers, and technology specialists. These resources include the DO-IT Knowledge Base, a searchable, comprehensive online database of articles, case studies and promising practices related to accessibility of technology, postsecondary education, graduate school, and careers. Other DO-IT resources include information about

financial aid Student financial aid in the United States is funding that is available exclusively to students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the United States. This funding is used to assist in covering the many costs incurred in purs ...

, and resources for

veterans A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces. A topic o ...

Center for Universal Design in Education (CUDE)

The online Center for Universal Design in Education (CUDE), directed by DO-IT and established in 2005, develops and collects web-based resources to help U.S. and international educators apply

to all aspects of education, including applying principles of Universal Design for Instruction and

Universal Design for Learning Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework based on research in the learning theory, including cognitive neuroscience, that guides the development of flexible learning environments and learning spaces that can accommodate indi ...

to instruction, and applying universal design to student services, information technology, and physical spaces. CUDE is funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.

DO-IT Resources for Educators & Faculty

The DO-IT Center provides extensive information, resources, training materials, and tutorials to educators, faculty, and others interested in accessibility and increasing the participation of students with disabilities in postsecondary education. Articles, training materials, and tutorials address a wide range of accessibility issues, including: *

Universal design Universal design is the design of buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to people, regardless of age, disability, or other factors. It emerged as a rights-based, anti-discrimination measure, which seeks to create design ...

* Universal design of instruction * Accessibility *

Assistive Technology Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for Disability, people with disabilities and the elderly. Disabled people often have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, ...

* Accessible Web design * Accessibility in

Distance Learning Distance education, also known as distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at school, or where the learner and the teacher are separated in both time and distance; today, it usually involves online ...

* Accessibility in STEM curricula, classes, labs, and careers * Accommodation strategies * Multi-modal methods for presenting classroom material * Variety of

learning styles Learning styles refer to a range of theories that aim to account for differences in individuals' learning. Although there is ample evidence that individuals express personal preferences on how they prefer to receive information, few studies have fo ...

(e.g. auditory, visual, kinesthetic, experiential, or a combination of styles) * Evidence-based practices for increasing the participation of students with disabilities.

Impact

The DO-IT Center's AccessSTEM/AccessComputing/DO-IT Longitudinal Transition Study (ALTS) reports positive outcomes for students with disabilities who participate in DO-IT programs, including greater-than-the-national-average participation in STEM fields.2011 Report of the AccessSTEM/AccessComputing/DO-IT Longitudinal Transition Study (ALTS)
DO-IT Center. Retrieved 2013-03-08. DO-IT ALTS participants had a 100% high school completion rate compared to the 70% high school completion rate for youths with disabilities reported by the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2). Since 1992, the Center's programs for educators and faculty, which include DO-IT Prof, DO-IT Admin, and AccessCollege, have: * provided more than 1,000 training sessions to over 25,000 faculty, administrators, and teaching assistants in the U.S. to help them apply universal design to instruction and accommodate students with disabilities * distributed more than 400,000 publications and videos related to universal design for instruction and accommodating students with disabilities * reported an increase in grades for students with disabilities in courses taught by faculty trained under the AccessCollege program, in comparison to both students with disabilities taught by the same faculty before training and students with disabilities in similar courses taught by untrained faculty. The AccessComputing program supports training,

experiential learning Experiential learning (ExL) is the process of learning through experience, and is more narrowly defined as "learning through reflection on doing". Hands-on learning can be a form of experiential learning, but does not necessarily involve students ...

, and other computing and

information technology (IT) Information technology (IT) is a set of related fields within information and communications technology (ICT), that encompass computer systems, software, programming languages, data processing, data and information processing, and storage. Inf ...

-related activities for students with disabilities throughout the U.S. From 2006 - 2013, DO-IT awarded 63 AccessComputing minigrants. Examples of AccessComputing minigrants include providing funding for: * the purchase of educational software and adaptive technology products for Auburn University's Computer Literacy Academy for Children * accessibility training and awareness events and conferences at

University of Wisconsin-Madison A university () is an institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly means "community of teachers and scholars". Uni ...

* research activities and workshops at the Landmark College Institute for Research and Training (LCIRT) at

Landmark College Landmark College is a private college in Putney, Vermont, designed exclusively for students who learn differently, including those with a learning disability (such as dyslexia), ADHD, autism or executive function challenges. It was establish ...

* an additional orientation program for incoming freshman with disabilities at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) in 2006 and the 2011 Gearing Up for Success Pre-orientation at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for first year students with

Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing di ...

* the 2009 Expanding Access to Computing: Teaching & Design for All Abilities event, led by the Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education (CAITE) and held in conjunction with the Massachusetts STEM Summit.

Awards

Awards for the DO-IT Center include: * 1995 National Information Infrastructure Award in Education * 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring * 1999 KCTS 9 Golden Apple Award for excellence in education * 2001 AHEAD (Association of Higher Education and Disability) Recognition Award for outstanding work for students with disabilities * 2007 Robert Greenberg Innovation Award for Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities * 2011 Hakuho Award for Outstanding Educators and Organizations and the Incentive Award of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan) - presented concurrently with DO-IT JapanHakuho Foundation
Retrieved 2013-03-08.

References

External links

DO-IT Center website
{{DEFAULTSORT:DO-IT Center Disability organizations based in the United States Educational psychology organizations Educational technology research centers Applied learning Educational organizations based in the United States Special education