Creating Accessible Labs: Breaking Barriers in Education and Research

In today’s educational and professional landscape, fostering inclusivity in laboratory environments is essential to supporting students and professionals with disabilities. Despite advancements in public accessibility, many labs—critical for education and research—continue to pose challenges for individuals with disabilities.

Accessible labs at every level of education are vital for encouraging participation in STEM fields, ensuring that talented individuals are not excluded due to physical barriers. This inclusivity not only benefits those directly impacted but also enriches society with diverse perspectives and innovative solutions, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future.

This blog delves into the key barriers, challenges, and actionable solutions for creating accessible lab spaces, offering insights from recent studies, accessibility guidelines, and universal design principles. Whether you’re an educator, researcher, or advocate, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to foster accessibility and inclusivity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

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The Accessibility Gap in Education and Research

Early Education Labs

A significant number of students with disabilities in early education face barriers in science labs. According to a study by Jeannis, Goldberg, Seelman, Schmeler, and Cooper (2019) who discuss barriers and facilitators to students with physical disabilities in academic laboratory spaces, 47% of students felt accommodations were inadequate, and 50% experienced passive roles due to limited support. Key barriers identified include unsuitable accommodations, negative attitudes from instructors, and restricted facility access.

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Higher Education and STEM

The statistics become more concerning in higher education. According to Moon et al. (2012), only 9-10% of undergraduates pursuing STEM fields identify as having disabilities, dropping to 5% at the graduate level and only 1% at the doctorate level. This trend reflects accessibility challenges that discourage long-term participation in STEM studies.

There are many reasons why students with disabilities might be so under-represented in STEM fields. For one, laboratory environments are typically physically inaccessible to students with physical disabilities, and the barriers to access—even at the very junior levels of study—can seem to be very high to students as Sukhai et al. (2014) note, “At best, the physical structure of most laboratories is unwelcoming to personal with physical disabilities; at worst, it is inaccessible” (p. 6).

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Scientific Workforce Disparities

Despite representing 27% of the U.S. population, individuals with disabilities make up only 9% of the scientific workforce and 2% of NIH-funded research roles. This underrepresentation highlights the need for more inclusive practices in scientific fields.
Inaccessible Labs and a non-inclusive educational system may lead to a ripple effect that results in a group of people being underrepresented in certain industries.

This can be a loss to society; we are missing out on ideas and advances which drive sustainability due to a less diverse scientific workforce.

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Identifying Accessibility Issues in Labs

Accessibility in labs can be hindered by equipment, design, and environmental factors. Common issues include:

• High Shelves and Small Controls: Equipment like titration burettes and instruments with small text or buttons are difficult to use for individuals with mobility or visual impairments.

• Inaccessible Layouts: Crowded workspaces and blocked hallways prevent mobility device access and safe navigation. For example, equipment placed in hallways can obstruct Braille signs and exits.

• Lack of Inclusive Features: Emergency equipment and lab sinks often exclude wheelchair users due to design flaws. Eye wash stations and showers may not be wheelchair accessible, posing safety risks.

Examples of Inaccessible Equipment

• Workbenches and Fume Hoods: Fixed-height designs limit wheelchair access, making it difficult for users to perform experiments comfortably.

• Lab Doors and Cabinets: Manual doors and storage units are challenging to operate without assistive tools, hindering independence. Chemical Storage Cabinets may have shelves placed too high or too low.

• Lab Sinks: May be positioned at non-accessible heights with hard-to-use faucets.

• Microscopes and Software: Visual and manual tools often lack assistive features, such as screen readers or adjustable interfaces, limiting their usability.

• Safety Equipment: Eye wash stations and showers are frequently designed without wheelchair accessibility, compromising safety during emergencies.

Solutions for Accessible Lab Equipment

Creating inclusive labs requires proactive design and planning.
Key solutions include:

• Adjustable Workstations: Ergonomic and height-adjustable benches accommodate diverse users, allowing for comfortable and safe experimentation.

• Accessible Emergency Features: Ensuring eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, and showers are wheelchair accessible is vital for safety. This includes installing equipment at appropriate heights and providing clear access paths.

• Assistive Technologies: Integrating screen readers, tactile tools, and voice-controlled lab equipment can enhance accessibility for individuals with visual or mobility impairments.

• Clear Navigation Aids: Installing signage, Braille, and wayfinding tools helps all users navigate the lab environment safely and efficiently.

• Front/Side-Loading Equipment: Incorporating equipment like centrifuges and autoclaves with accessible controls and doors facilitates easier access for all users, improving functionality and usability.‎

Addressing Space and Wayfinding Challenges

• Space Limitations
  Crowded labs hinder the movement of mobility devices, obstruct hallways, and block Braille signage. Including sensory or private rooms can support individuals with sensory sensitivities or specific needs.

• Wayfinding Obstacles
  Many labs lack accessible navigation, such as pathways clear of hazards or floor designs suitable for wheelchairs. Proper placement of equipment and signage is essential.

Changing Perspectives on Accessibility

A recurring challenge is the perception that accessibility is prohibitively costly. While retrofitting existing spaces may be expensive, incorporating accessibility during the initial design process is significantly more cost-effective and promotes long-term inclusivity. For example, in some labs, accessibility efforts prioritize public access, such as visitor pathways, but overlook the needs of scientific staff with disabilities. Proactive planning and inclusive design from the start can help avoid these oversights.

Additionally, there is a prevailing bias that accessibility efforts should focus primarily on public-facing aspects, often neglecting the needs of lab personnel. This gap in inclusive design practices highlights the importance of considering all potential users, including scientific staff with disabilities.

Leadership and Accessibility

Leadership's lack of experience with disability is another contributing factor to gaps in accessibility planning and implementation. Decisions about accessibility are often made by individuals without direct or recent experience with disabilities, leading to oversights in understanding and execution. Effective planning requires active input from those with lived experiences or consultation with accessibility experts.

Finally, thoughtful placement of moveable items and furnishings is critical. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “Making educated placement choices can ensure lab safety and also ensure that people with limited mobility or other disabilities can access what they need.” By adopting inclusive design practices and fostering awareness at leadership levels, labs can better meet the needs of all users.

Steps to Create Accessible Labs

Creating accessible labs requires a structured approach guided by established standards, stakeholder input, and thoughtful design. Below are key steps to ensure labs meet diverse accessibility needs:

1. Standardization

   • Develop clear, specific standards for lab environments, building on existing accessibility guidelines like CSA B651 and CSA/ASC B652 while incorporating new research and best practices and adding lab-specific performance requirements.

   • Ensure these standards address both lab layouts and equipment, focusing on making safety features and tools accessible or accessible-ready.
     
     

2. Planning
   Prioritize safety and emergency features, along with adaptable solutions for diverse equipment needs. This includes considering universal design principles to accommodate all users.

   • Begin with a thorough assessment of the needs of all potential users, including individuals with disabilities.

   • Engage with stakeholders such as students, researchers, lab managers, architects, and accessibility consultants to gather input and ensure inclusive design goals are met.

     
     

3. Design
   Integrate accessibility features as outlined by standards into the physical and technological layout of the lab.

   Consider aspects such as adjustable equipment, accessible workspaces, clear wayfinding systems, and adaptable safety features.

   Avoid creating barriers by ensuring that all workstations and pathways accommodate mobility devices and that equipment controls are usable for individuals with limited dexterity or vision.
   
   

4. Implementation
   Ensure all stakeholders, including lab leaders and staff, understand and advocate for inclusive practices. Training programs can enhance awareness and competence in accessibility matters.

   • Train stakeholders involved in designing and operating the lab on accessibility standards and inclusive practices.

   • Install assistive technologies like voice-activated controls, tactile feedback tools, and screen-reading software to enhance usability for all users.
     
     

5. Monitoring and Feedback

   Regularly evaluate lab accessibility by conducting audits and seeking feedback from users, particularly those with disabilities.

   Use this input to address any overlooked barriers and adapt to advancements in accessibility practices and technologies.

Looking Ahead

Creating accessible labs goes beyond compliance; it empowers individuals with disabilities to participate fully in STEM education and research. By addressing physical, technological, and attitudinal barriers, we can foster a more inclusive scientific community where talent is not limited by accessibility challenges.

Accessible labs are not just a requirement—they are a commitment to equity, innovation, and excellence in education and research.