Call to Order - 9:00 am

Attendees:

Caroline Adenberger (adenberger@ostina.org)
Ted Conway (Tconway@nsf.gov)
Anna Fong (annafongca@gmail.com)
Angela Foreman (AngelaLeeForeman@yahoo.com)
Lorna Gonzales
Richard Mankin (rmankin@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu)
Erica Penn (ericalyne@aol.com)
Virginia Stern (vstern@aaas.org)
Michelle Hamlet (hamletm@mail.nih.gov)
Dan Poux (dpoux@aaas.org)
Helen Jones
Bob Ingram

Each attendee gave brief descriptions of their current professional activities. Caroline Adenberger discussed the interest of the Austrian Embassy, Office of Science and Technology in US programs and activities that enhance participation of scientists and engineers with disabilities in the work force.   Michelle Hamlet discussed NIH programs that may be of interest to postdoctoral associates and scientists with disabilities.  Dan Poux discussed the AAAS fellowship program. 

Minutes

The minutes from the last meeting (February 16, 2008 - Boston, MA) were reviewed and approved as posted at http://www.ars.usda.gov/sp2UserFiles/person/3559/annmeetminute08.html.

Treasurer's Report

Robert Van Etten (not present) submitted a report for the 2008 calendar year.

Science Student Grant Committee Report - Richard Mankin

Committee - Richard Mankin,  Betty Weaver.  Four of 23 applicants met  the grant application criteria.  The membership approved the committee recommendation that a grant be awarded to Emma Sacks, a Ph. D. student in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, for a study entitled,  "Qualitative research on home-based care of premature (low birth weight) infants in sub-Saharan Africa."

Officer Nominations 

Treasurer (for year beginning in 2010)- Angela Foreman

President (for year beginning in 2011)- Erica Penn

These nominees will be placed on the ballot in the next newsletter.  Other nominations can be emailed to President Richard Mankin (rmankin@nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu).  Deadline for additional nominations is April 1, 2009.

New Business

Ted Conway suggested that the Foundation for Science and Disability request proposals and award a grant to identify best practices that scientific societies and similar organizations could use in providing a welcoming environment for attendees with disabilities.   Currently, most such organizations hold conferences and meetings that are "technically" accessible to persons with disabilities but, in practice, some of the facilities or activities may not be accessible without extreme efforts.  The report developed from the grant would provide organizations with a better understanding of commonly occurring problems and successful solutions to such problems. The members authorized Ted Conway and Richard Mankin to prepare the proposal criteria and disseminate the request for proposals. 

The meeting then adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Submitted February 19, 2009
Richard Mankin