A committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will conduct a consensus study to identify and examine barriers, solutions, and policies that influence engagement, retention, and career development and advancement for persons with disabilities in STEM and STEM education workplace and postsecondary training settings. The study will examine how workplaces both facilitate and hinder workforce transitions for people with disabilities (e.g., through career and skills development pathways and workplace settings).
The committee will explore the following questions focused on STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training settings:

• What are the experiences of people with disabilities across several workplaces and training settings (e.g., private industry, non-profit organizations, government, academia, research laboratories, STEM education classroom [PreK-12])?
• How do organizational factors (e.g., policies and practices, social dynamics, and environmental attributes) influence recruitment, hiring, and retention of people with disabilities in differing STEM workplace settings?
• How do organizational factors affect career decision-making for people with disabilities?
• How do organizational factors support success for people with disabilities in differing workplace settings? What changes are needed to build capacity for promoting the success of people with disabilities in STEM workplaces?
• How can STEM workplaces improve the implementation of established and emerging technologies that systemically enhance and promote the success of people with disabilities?
• Considering the above, what key research questions need to be addressed, and where are there gaps in the evidence base?

The committee will produce and broadly disseminate an accessible consensus study report that includes evidence-based, high-priority, and actionable recommendations for changes needed in both academic and non-academic STEM and STEM education workplaces and postsecondary training settings, including private industry, non-profit organizations, government, academia, research laboratories, and STEM education classrooms (PreK-12). Intended audiences for this report include researchers, educators, policymakers, disabled STEM and STEM education professionals, and STEM employers. Accessibility of the report for these varying audiences will be considered in the development, engagement, and dissemination of all materials.