FAU Receives $10M Grant for ACCESS-Tech Project

Florida Atlantic is proud to announce a major step forward in promoting inclusivity and opportunity in the technology industry. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has awarded the College of Education and College of Engineering and Computer Science a $9.96 million grant for a joint project called Advancing Career Choices for Employment Success in Technology (ACCESS-Technology). The project will develop workforce training programs that will prepare people with disabilities for high-demand technology jobs.

Participants will include youths and adults with disabilities nationwide, who will receive specialized training and certification in critical fields such as cybersecurity, cloud computing solutions and 3D printing. The program, which will ultimately serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country, will offer additional skill-building services including career counseling and work-readiness training.

An important aspect of the ACCESS-Technology project will be its interdisciplinary approach, which will combine the strengths of Florida Atlantic’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program and College of Engineering and Computer Science to create certification courses that are both cutting-edge and accessible for individuals with disabilities. These fully online learning platforms will include assistive technologies and accessibility features to ensure flexibility, user-friendliness and program support.

Over the course of its five-year timeline, we expect that the ACCESS-Technology project will recruit 240 participants while establishing a diverse network of educators, tech experts and industry leaders. Additionally, the program will partner with leading technology companies to offer paid internships that contribute to career success in the tech industry.

Thank you to our dedicated faculty members who are leading this significant initiative: principal investigator Ayse Torres, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Education; co-principal investigator Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science; and co-principal investigator Javad Hashemi, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

We appreciate this opportunity to advance education and career attainment for individuals with disabilities through meaningful and inclusive programs. The ACCESS-Technology project underscores Florida Atlantic’s commitment to ensuring success for all, as well as our dedication to transforming lives through innovation. We look forward to the positive and enduring impact this program will have on our students and communities.

For more details on the ACCESS-Technology project, click here.