Abstract
To broaden the participation of disabled students in STEM, we conducted an outreach program to inspire blind and low vision (BLV) students to pursue these disciplines in college, educate them and their Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) about accessibility in higher education, and begin to forge partnerships with local high schools. This experience report describes planning an accessible 80-person, half-day event. Pre- and post-survey evaluations showed that learning about accommodations and self-advocacy from BLV college students' first-hand experiences was important for creating an inspirational STEM event. We also highlight how bringing together teachers from across the county and funding entities from across campus enabled us to bring greater visibility and sustainability to our initiative.
