June 13: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Have you ever wondered whether your science content and communication projects reached the communities with disabilities? Or better yet, have you wondered the important roles of science communicators making scientific knowledge accessible? Or have you been looking for resources to advance accessibility? We have plenty to share!

Disabilities in STEM is a grass-rooted group of Disabled science communicators from different walks of life and different approaches to engage with communities with disabilities. Despite the emphasis in United Nations human rights and countless international reports on the rights to science, the reality is that persons with disabilities are often the forgotten audience in STEM fields; this has led to inequitable access to scientific knowledge. Through community dialogue and initiatives, we believe that advancing accessibility in science communications can support the full engagement of persons with disabilities in both our communications efforts and the scientific processes we promote.

Building from our love for science communication and our mission to address systemic barriers from an anti-oppressive framework, our workshop aims to introduce resources and recommendations building off lessons learned in a proposed Dalhousie University “Accessibility in STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) ecosystem” training course, as well as from the STEM With Disabilities social media project and the related Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities.

Following a presentation that emphasizes storytelling in STEM Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, participants will get to apply practical tools and resources that address accessibility in science communication. At the end of the day, we hope to challenge, raise awareness and introduce thought-provoking questions for science communicators to consider in their projects. Ultimately, participants will be provided with a toolkit of resources of best practices that can advance the accessibility of their own science communication work.

Presenter: Tam Pham

Tran Thanh Tam Pham (pronouns: they/she) is a Southeast Asian settler on K'jipuktuk, colonially known as Halifax, and a queer femme disabled scientist with an Honours Bachelor of Science double major in Biochemistry and Chemistry at the University of Toronto, and recently completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Dalhousie University. Outside their research activities, they are a science communicator and an activist in best practices for TRIDEA (Truth & Reconciliation, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) across all STEM sectors. They are currently the Co-President of the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST) where they strategically led a rigorous metrics system to enhance access to early STEM education workshops for girls and nonbinary youths across Canada. With a passion for one’s right to scientific knowledge, they are among the few Canadian scholars selected for the 2024-2025 STeP Fellowship program by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research working on recommendations for language inclusion in science. They are selected by the Young Diplomats of Canada program to be one of the 4 youth leaders representing Canada at the 2025 Y7 Youth Summit where they address systemic barriers and advocate for gender minority groups rights towards science, education and economic empowerment.