Comment: Celebrating accessibility, inclusion, and 45 years of Chemists with Disabilities

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Partha Basu, chair, Committee on Chemists with Disabilities

The latest news and commentary on and from ACS programs, activities, communities and more.

As I write this, I’m reminded that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of persons with disabilities to our professions, communities, workplaces, and campuses. This year marks the 80th anniversary of NDEAM, an initiative led by the US Department of Labor. The 2025 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” reminds us that inclusion strengthens every field, including chemistry.

This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the American Chemical Society Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD). Forty-five years ago, a small group of chemists envisioned a profession where science would be accessible to all—where talent, curiosity, and determination transcend any physical or cognitive boundary. Since its establishment in 1980, CWD has worked to remove or minimize both visible and invisible barriers that limit participation in the chemical sciences. We’ve created inclusive resources, developed best practices, and mentored students and professionals navigating science and disability. Our community has helped foster a culture within ACS that values equity, dignity, and the full spectrum of human ability.

We remain inspired by the achievements of trailblazing chemists with disabilities, some of whom were recently highlighted in a package in Chemical & Engineering News this September. Their stories remind us that our work is ongoing; it happens every day, in every lab, and in every classroom. Several members of CWD were highlighted in this special issue, and one member, Mona Minkara, served as the guest editor.

In July, in collaboration with the ACS Webinars team, we hosted “Different Minds, Shared Goals: Building Supportive Mentoring Relationships for Neurodivergent Students in Grad School.” This program reached 238 participants worldwide and received a 100% satisfaction rating, a testament to the growing importance of inclusive mentoring in chemistry.

"Forty-five years ago, a small group of chemists envisioned a profession where science would be accessible to all—where talent, curiosity, and determination transcend any physical or cognitive boundary."

We are excited to announce the release of the 5th edition of the e-book Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities. It is available for free download from the CWD website. This updated edition continues our commitment to making chemistry education more inclusive by providing practical strategies, classroom adaptations, and accessibility best practices for educators at all levels. This publication represents the collective effort of countless volunteers, whose expertise, time, and passion made this resource possible. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this important work and helped advance the goal of making chemistry accessible to every learner.

At ACS Fall 2025 in Washington, DC, CWD finalized its strategic plan to guide our efforts over the next 3 years. Our ACS core values—passion for science, lifelong learning, inclusion and belonging, and sustainability—support our vision of making chemistry accessible for all.