Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39146285›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

Experiences of researchers with disabilities at academic institutions in the United States.

Franz Castro, Caroline Cerilli, Luanjiao Hu, Lisa I Iezzoni, Varshini Varadaraj, Bonnielin K Swenor

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Franz CastroJohns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0002-9913-4257
Caroline CerilliJohns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0002-0892-2515
Luanjiao HuLurie Institute for Disability Policy, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Lisa I IezzoniHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Varshini VaradarajJohns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
Bonnielin K SwenorJohns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0002-6044-0951

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPeople with disabilities are underrepresented in higher education, facing systematic obstacles such as inaccessible communication and physical environments and difficulties obtaining accommodations. This study aims to shed light on barriers to accessibility and disability inclusion in research institutions through confidential qualitative interviews with researchers with disabilities.

methodsWe recruited participants via virtual flyers. Eligibility criteria included working in the United States (U.S.) as researchers that had applied for grant funding (last five years), and self-identifying as having a disability. We offered participants (total n = 35) the option of either semi-structured one-on-one live or written interviews based on their preference. Two study team members analyzed written and live responses using thematic analysis to identify themes.

resultsThemes included identity/visibility, career trajectories, accessibility, accommodations, bias, representation, and inclusion. Some participants reported not disclosing their disabilities at work or during hiring processes due to fear of negative perceptions from peers or potential employers. Experiences around stigma and bias were noted both in professional relationships and when interacting with disability service offices, underscoring difficulties and delays in processes to secure accommodations. Respondents highlighted the lack of disability inclusion and low representation of people with disabilities in academia and elevated the importance of self-advocacy and of role models and mentors in shaping career pathways for future researchers with disabilities.

conclusionResearchers with disabilities encounter systematic barriers at academic institutions, and lack of acknowledgement and research on these experiences has held back institutional and policy changes. To reduce disparities for researchers with disabilities, academic leadership must allocate resources to address ableism, create more inclusive environments, and raise standards beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Indexed as

Persons with DisabilitiesResearch PersonnelAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSocial StigmaUnited StatesUniversities

Identifiers

PMID39146285
PMCPMC11326606

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.