AccessComputing: Building Capacity for Veterans

A series of activities have been undertaken to increase the participation of veterans with disabilities in computing and information technology (IT) postsecondary education and career fields. These activities were coordinated by the Alliance for Access to Computing Careers ("AccessComputing"), led by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) at the University of Washington (UW). "AccessComputing" collaborates with project partners in a variety of ways: (1) Conducting a "Capacity-Building Institute" ("CBI") focused on increasing the participation of veterans with disabilities in computing and IT academic programs and careers; (2) Sharing the results of the "CBI" with other institutions and individuals who serve veterans; (3) Providing an electronic forum to continue discussion of veterans issues and increase services and supports for veterans; and (4) Extending resources to other programs and promising practices via an online searchable Knowledge Base. The "AccessComputing: Building Capacity for Veterans with Disabilities CBI" took place February 10-13, 2009, in Seattle. Its overall purpose was to explore ways to increase the participation and success of veterans with disabilities in computing and information technology postsecondary studies and careers. Participants in this two-and-one-half day event included student services leaders, administrators, and teaching faculty from institutions around the county. Hosted by the UW, the "CBI" provided a forum for comparing recruitment and access challenges, sharing successful practices, developing collaborations, and identifying systemic change initiatives for increasing the capacity of institutions to serve veterans with disabilities. Specific goals of this "CBI" were to: (1) gain information about recruiting, serving, and retaining veterans on postsecondary campuses; (2) brainstorm ideas for bridging the gap between computing faculty, disability services faculty, and veterans services; (3) share information about best practices for serving veterans, funding opportunities, and resources; and (4) network. The agenda for the "CBI," summaries of the presentations and panels, and reports from the working group discussions are presented.