Our project is a collaborative effort to improve the social climate on campus for students with disabilities. Currently, the more than 1100 students with disabilities at UM have no way to connect with each other to share resources, experiences, and social support.

The Autlook Project will respond to this need by bringing together a team of social and computer scientists to explore the role of digital safe spaces for students with disabilities. An on-going program, Allies for Ability, is working to create ability-friendly physical safe spaces by raising awareness about the experiences of people with disabilities and increasing visibility of allies. The Autlook Project will collaborate with this program to investigate the development of digital safe space. It is possible to imagine myriad social and academic applications for this tool, so it will be essential to research the ways that students at UM anticipate they could benefit most. This research will be used to inform the development of the Autlook Project, and to plan an effective outreach strategy to inform the student body about the availability of digital safe space.

A diversity of perspectives among the project developers will support the success of this program. Students from Public Health, the School of Information, Sociology, and Psychology will collaborate with a computer programming consultant to produce this dynamic and engaging resource for the campus community. From planning website development to campus outreach, each of the team members will play a unique role in the development of this tool.

Submitted to the Grant Opportunities Collaborative Spaces 2010 competition