Some of the greatest minds in science, Steven Hawking, Temple Grandin, and Albert Einstein all had something in common – they all had disabilities. And each of them forged a very successful career in science making ground-breaking discoveries to become the role models they are to so many people all over the world, today.
Fast forward to 2022, and despite many technological advances and a change of societal attitudes towards people with disabilities, you might have assumed that the number of scientists with disabilities would have significantly increased over the decades.
Sadly, this is not the case.
The number of scientists in work with disabilities is still inordinately low, with statistics showing a mere two per cent. I am one of the two percent.
Despite having good experiences and achieving some great things so far in my science career, I know this is not the case for every graduate with a disability, and I remain concerned about my future as a young scientist and for the others that might follow in my footsteps. The lack of disability representation in science is quite disheartening, and more should be done to break the barriers that persist.
That’s why we suggest forming a national body known as ‘Scientists with Disabilities’. With collective knowledge, it will be easier to push for greater representation and for inclusion of graduates with disabilities in the scientific workforce.
Universities and research institutes are now very aware of the gap at hand. They need to actively work for inclusivity and equality, but this is usually directed at correcting injustices associated with sex/gender inequality, racial and cultural exclusion, and combating intolerance wherever it arises on campus. As far as we are aware, this does not extend to accommodating graduates with physical and behavioural disabilities.
A career in science demands a lot from anyone choosing this path in life; it can be an lonely place for anyone, especially people from culturally diverse backgrounds. It is still largely a white, male-dominated workforce, in which it can be a hard task to develop a strong support network and build stronger connections within the wider science community.
Scientists with disabilities often feel undervalued and unappreciated, and unable to embrace their potential. In our experience, it is uncommon to see a science lab that accommodates disabilities. Medical technologies rarely take into consideration the needs of scientists with disabilities. This needs to change. Accessible medical technologies should be created.
We understand this is what occurred after the establishment of the group known as ‘Doctors with Disability’ – with roles created to provide opportunities for medical graduates with a range of disabilities. The graduates were offered flexibility and institutional support.
A career in science is demanding, and at times rather competitive and even hostile. For someone with a disability this can be magnified. Attitudes and communication need to change. Instead of someone with a disability being seen as a burden, we need institutions and colleagues to step forward and provide meaningful support to encourage change– both in the physical environment and provision of equal opportunities that have genuine trajectories for intellectual development, and the opportunity to make ground-breaking discoveries.