Good morning everyone! I hope you enjoyed seeing a small snapshot of my #research. Today is my last day of tweeting for @RealSci_Nano and I would like to share my experiences as a #deaf/hard of hearing #researcher and discuss topic close to my heart...… #accessibility in #STEM
I've been hard of hearing since birth and rely on #lipreading for everyday communication. I got #hearingaids when I was around 14 and have had a love/hate relationship with them ever since. I recently started learning #BritishSignLanguage again and am using it more and more
Lot's of people have asked what it's like being #disabled in #STEM and it is always an interesting question for me.. First, I don't feel or identify as #disabled - it is a term I use to access support and reasonable adjustments, but I am #scientist, #engineer and Jessie foremost!
My #disability is a hidden disability, so some of my colleagues out there may not even be aware that I am #deaf (surprise!). Up until studying for my PhD, I tried to hide my deafness and fit into a #hearing world. Now, I much more proud and open about it.
Looking back, I was afraid to talk about my deafness and ask for support because I didn't want to be 'different' or a 'hassle'. I felt like a problem. I didn't want to miss out on opportunities because of #unconsciousbias or the fact that I needed subtitles, microphones, etc.
The lack of these adjustments made events (such as conferences) inaccessible for me. If we everyone to participate in #STEM equally, we need to remove these barriers and make STEM #accessible. And we need to start by asking is STEM #equal #diverse and #inclusive and #accessible?
#accessibility benefits everyone not just #disabled #researchers. For example, small changes, such as using microphones at conferences, will make a huge difference to researchers who are hard of hearing, but will also make life easier for everyone!
So I would like to start a discussion around #accessibility . Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about my experience and barriers facing #disabled #researchers.
You can follow @RealSci_Nano.
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