title: Implementation of Protocols To Enable Doctoral Training in Physical and Computational Chemistry of a Blind Graduate Student.
abstract: There exists a sparse representation of blind and low-vision students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This is due in part to these individuals being discouraged from pursuing STEM degrees as well as a lack of appropriate adaptive resources in upper level STEM courses and research. Mona Minkara is a rising fifth year graduate student in computational chemistry at the University of Florida. She is also blind. This account presents efforts conducted by an expansive team of university and student personnel in conjunction with Mona to adapt different portions of the graduate student curriculum to meet Mona's needs. The most important consideration is prior preparation of materials to assist with coursework and cumulative exams. Herein we present an account of the first four years of Mona's graduate experience hoping this will assist in the development of protocols for future blind and low-vision graduate students in computational chemistry.
authors: Department of Chemistry Quantum Theory Project, University of Florida , 2328 New Physics Building, Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States.
authors: Mona S
authors: MS
authors: Minkara
authors: Department of Chemistry Quantum Theory Project, University of Florida , 2328 New Physics Building, Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States.
authors: Michael N
authors: MN
authors: Weaver
authors: Disability Resource Center, University of Florida Reid Hall P.O. Box 114085, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Gorske
authors: Department of Chemistry Quantum Theory Project, University of Florida , 2328 New Physics Building, Gainesville, Florida 32611-8435, United States.
authors: Clifford R
authors: CR
authors: Bowers
authors: Department of Chemistry Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University 578 South Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1322, United States.
authors: Kenneth M
authors: KM
authors: Merz
keywords: General Public; Graduate Education/Research; Physical Chemistry