SIGACCESS Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

SIGACCESS supports technology innovation by and for people with disabilities, older adults and neurodiverse communities. The ACM SIGACCESS Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship Award supports virtual attendance at the ASSETS 2020 Conference on Computers and Accessibility. For the 2020 ASSETS conference, which is a virtual event, this scholarship program replaces the Travel Scholarship program, which SIGACCESS traditionally offers each year.

This scholarship program provides support for practitioners, researchers, members of advocacy groups, individuals with disabilities or neurological difference who are interested in the field of computers and accessibility, to actively participate in the ASSETS conference.

The Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship aims to reach out to diverse communities that are underrepresented in the accessibility research field, to encourage participation in the ASSETS conferences. Examples include, but are not limited to, faculty and students from historically Black and Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States, practitioners working in developing regions, members of Indigenous communities, or individuals bringing LGBTQ+ perspectives to accessible computing. Increasing participation from these communities will contribute to the academic perspective of ASSETS and help create a more supportive, welcoming and inclusive ASSETS conference.

Eligibility Criteria

• Practitioners, members of advocacy groups, and individuals with disabilities or neurological difference who are working or interested in the field of accessible computing. Researchers applying for the scholarship should have completed an academic degree and should be actively engaged in research and/or practice in the general domain of computers and accessibility. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to apply by including a brief statement explaining their interest in the field of accessible computing;
• SIGACCESS Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship funds can only be used to cover the registration fee of the ASSETS 2020 conference;
• Applicants should have no other funding source to cover the registration cost.

Application Requirements

If you are interested in applying for a SIGACCESS Diversity and Inclusion scholarship, provide a short paragraph statement explaining your background, your experience or interest in accessible computing, and your need for financial support to attend the virtual conference.

The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before October 9 th, 2020 or until the designated funds of approximately $10,000 run out.

After your application is approved, you will receive a code that will allow you to register for ASSETS 2020 without the registration fee.

To submit your application, please go to https://forms.gle/YWdmjSWE7hYcSzez6.