The Role of Discrimination and Barriers in the Perceptions of Adolescents With and Without Disabilities of STEM Classes and Jobs

Abstract In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented. This study aimed to determine what barriers might prevent students with and without disabilities from pursuing STEM careers. Differences in students’ interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses and having a STEM career were evaluated in a sample of 438 students with (24.9%) and without disabilities ( M age = 15.09, SD = .82) recruited from public high schools in Southeastern United States. Differences in their interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses and having a STEM career were evaluated. Although students with disabilities report lower interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses they have the same interest in STEM careers as students without disabilities. Moreover, students with disabilities report higher rates of discrimination and more educational barriers than students without disabilities. Schools should focus on providing specific support to students with disabilities to ensure that their educational experiences are equitable.