As we recognize scientists with disabilities and their achievements, we also acknowledge remaining barriers in the field. According to ASM’s 2020 DEI Taskforce Report survey, scientists with disabilities represented about 18% of respondents. This is not representative of the 28% of the U.S. population that has a disability. We recognize that the gap in representation from this community.

We encourage scientists with disabilities and early career scientists to explore ASM’s career development and mentorship opportunities. ASM is committed to fostering and sustaining a positive and welcoming community where everyone has access to ample opportunities to thrive in their chosen career pathway.

ABRCMS365 allows the biomedical sciences community to continue learning and pursuing scientific and networking opportunities. Take advantage of this opportunity to get and stay connected!

ASM Programs and Publishing

ASM is committed to providing accessibility accommodations and support services, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, captioning services and alternative (alt) text, across the Society’s published content and events.      

ASM Journals has a policy on optimizing figures and tables for people with color vision deficiency (CVD). Furthermore, several ASM Journals have published articles on accommodations for, and the inclusion of, scientists with disabilities in lab and classroom settings.     

Visuals on our website include alt text to provide descriptions for people using screen readers. Captioning services are also available for video content, including a variety of webinars.

Disability as Diversity in STEM: A New Perspective

The story of disability sits at the heart of the human experience. It is important to be mindful of the complexity and nuances that characterize the value of disability and to explore its significant impact on the landscape of STEM.

Neurodiversity in the Lab: A Symphony of the Minds

Neurodivergent individuals harbor a unique set of skills, but they are often marginalized rather than empowered, due to societal misconceptions. The lab, though filled with opportunities to do research, is also a dynamic rapid-pace workspace, and it is critical to build a lab environment that fosters success for all students, including neurodivergent scientists and educators.

Microbiology for Blind or Visually Impaired Students

Providing accommodations for students who are blind and visually impaired will not only help with student retention, but also set students up for success in their academic pursuits.

Traversing STEM With Disabilities: Spotlight on Kyle Card

Kyle Card, Ph.D., shares how his identity as a scientist with Mobius syndrome and Hanhart syndrome have impacted his experiences in STEM and discusses the importance of increasing institutional awareness about accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Adapting as a Disabled Scientist: Spotlight on Chris Rensing

Chris Rensing, Ph.D., and distinguished professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, China, has hereditary spastic paraplegia. Learn more about his research team and their investigation of how microbes utilize heavy metals and compensate for metal toxicity.

Advocating for Deaf Scientists: Spotlight on John Dennehy

For most of his life, John Dennehy, Ph.D., tried to hide the fact that he was born deaf. Today, “I feel a responsibility to raise awareness for those who may not be able to advocate for themselves.” From researching large mammals to a focus on the tiniest of lifeforms (analyzing SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater), learn about Dennehy’s journey in STEM.

Supporting Deaf Students in Undergraduate Research Experiences: Perspectives of American Sign Language Interpreters

Undergraduate students who are deaf are eager to engage in research but often require appropriate accommodations. This Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education article features interviews with 4 ASL interpreters who provided full-time accommodations to teams consisting of 1 deaf student and 2 hearing peers during a 6-week internship.

Who Let the Dogs Out? A Plea for Official Guidelines on Service Animals in the Teaching Laboratory

This article explores how to support students who require a service animal, with the hope that scientific organizations will establish clear guidelines to educate students, faculty, administrators and the general public on the challenges associated with guide dogs in a microbiology laboratory.

microshades: An R Package for Improving Color Accessibility and Organization of Microbiome Data

When creating figures, it is important to consider that individuals with color vision deficiency (CVD) may not perceive all colors. While there are several CVD-friendly color palettes, they are often insufficient for working with microbiome data. This article introduces microshades, an R package for creating CVD-accessible microbiome figures.

Microbiology for Blind or Visually Impaired Students

Shannon Vassell, ASM's Senior Program Officer, and Leah Potter, former ASM Communications Specialist, discuss the session, “Microbiology for the Blind and Visually Impaired,” which was presented by Barbara Heard, Ed.D., associate professor of biology at Atlantic Cape Community College, at ASM Microbe 2022.

John Dennehy Discusses Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 and Beyond

ASM's COVID-19 Research Registry hosted the virtual discussion "Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 and Beyond" in May 2023. Here, John Dennehy, Ph.D., shares his expertise on testing wastewater for pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.

ASM Members have access to the COVID-19 Research Registry Virtual Journal Club Archive, where you can watch past recordings and stay abreast of the latest SARS-CoV-2 research.

Get Involved at ASM

Interested in becoming involved with ASM?

• Discover volunteer opportunities.
• Join or renew membership.
• Explore ASM Events.
• Publish with ASM Journals.