How scientists with disabilities are making research labs and fieldwork more accessible

Disabled scientists are trying to make research labs and fieldwork more accessible. They say labs and field sites aren’t designed to serve them. The Americans with Disabilities Act sets minimum regulations for new buildings and lab spaces to follow. Modifying older labs can be a complicated and lengthy process. A group of scientists and students recently took a field trip to a lake along the San Andreas Fault in California to illustrate the challenges disabled researchers often face and how barriers can be overcome. The outing was organized by a group working to improve access to field and lab work.