Who we are

MIDWEST is a consortium of educators, scientists, and student service providers from:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• University of Northern Iowa

MIDWEST is a 5-year program funded by the Research in Disabilities Education program at the National Science Foundation and awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Our goal

Our goal is to increase the quantity and quality of students at the associate, baccalaureate and graduate levels in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to help students transition to employment.

We are identifying students with disabilities at the middle and high school, undergraduate and graduate levels who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for success in STEM careers.

Our programs

Programs are shared with students, educators, and institutions, including:

• Modules that emphasize the use of current technologies to help students with specific disabilities
• The use of high school-to-college and college-to-graduate school transition models
• The use of disability service models including supported education programs, individualized strategy instruction for students and disability services management structures.

Our programs include:

• Internships and Externships for high school and college students
• STEM enrichment activities
• Staff training on instruction and curricular development
• Professional development activities
• Improved student access and accommodations for transitions between academic levels, settings, and into industry
• Grant writing support to faculty to gain funding that supports research opportunities for students with disabilities

Page last updated 02/28/07