UC program and Siemens breaking educational barriers for students with disabilities
In a pioneering effort, the University of Cincinnati's IDD Education Center and Siemens have collaborated to provide accessible science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Originating from a 2019 STEM accessibility workshop, the partnership resulted in modifying the university's Developing Spatial Thinking (DST) course and creating the "STEM Access for All" program, utilizing Siemens' NX software.
Siemens engineers actively participated, demonstrating processes like 3D part analysis and design. The success of the program led to its integration into the IDD Education Center’s CEES program, recognized as a state-recognized pre-apprenticeship program. This collaboration addresses stereotypes and fosters inclusivity in STEM, contributing to a more diverse and skilled workforce.
Hugues Bertrand, a model-based system engineering (MBSE) solution architect and consultant at Siemens Digital Industries Software, noted in the article that this training also addresses an industry issue:
“Companies in the STEM industry are stressed about finding enough skilled employees,” Bertrand said. “It makes business sense to explore the feasibility of including additional talent pools by tapping into high-capacity, competent, non-bachelor neurodiverse candidates, trained on Siemens products.”
Featured image at top: IDD Education Center students collaborate in a STEM workshop in an effort with Siemens. Photo/provided.
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