Empower Ability Consulting, Inc.
Sierra Vista, AZ
Joey Ramp-Adams is a Biocognitive Neuroscientist whose study interest was the neurological underpinnings of posttraumatic stress disorder after traumatic brain injury. But, after recognizing the obstacles for students with disabilities in science, based on her experience as a service dog handler often barred from accessing science laboratory experience, she founded the disability access firm Empower Ability Consulting, Inc (EAC) in 2017. EAC is dedicated to advocating and acting as a liaison for disabled students, professional academics, and STEM industry professionals, including biomedical sciences, focusing on disabled student service dog handlers. In addition, EAC conducts laboratory risk assessments nationally to determine reasonable and safe accommodations for disability access.
Ramp-Adams is a published author and public speaker on service dog access to science laboratories and is the global pioneer for university-wide inclusive laboratory policies for student service dog handlers, providing equal access to science education. Her passion led her to partner with a colleague to become the Vice-president and Co-founder of the International Alliance for Ability in Science (IAFAIS). This non-profit organization provides resources, financial aid, and scholarships for disabled student scientists, with one scholarship specifically for student service dog handlers in STEM.
With all Ramp-Adams’ passion and hard work in providing equal opportunities for disabled scientists, she is accompanied everywhere by her faithful service dog partner, Sampson the Science Service Dog. Ramp-Adams is probably most known as being the “roadie” or “Mom” for the gregarious social media sensation, Sampson. Sampson is the official ambassador for service dogs in science, the Golden retriever wearing complete personal protective equipment in the neuroscience lab. He carries his “happy” wherever he goes and has a best-stuffed friend named Mr. B (for blue octopus). Sampson was named one of seven “Dogs of the Year 2022,” featured on CW Network, and was named the 2018 Service Dog of the Year in the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). Together Sampson and Ramp-Adams have been in People magazine, on TMZ, on the NPR Science Podcast, Sirius XM Podcast, and been featured in 1000’s of media outlets globally, raising awareness on the need for equal access to science experiences for disabled student service dog handlers.
With the aid of her service dog, Ramp-Adams has changed service dog policies in STEM globally to be more inclusive. These changes include new guidelines in the American Association of Microbiology and The American Chemical Society writing specific protocols for accommodating service dog handlers in laboratory environments, in addition to inspiring the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to conduct a webinar in 2021 on IACUC Responsibilities Regarding Service Animals, hosted by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).
Monday, December 4, 2023
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM ET