My ASA Story: Erin Chapman, Software Development Engineer

My ASA story starts a little oddly. In fact, I was part of an ASA outreach group before I was an actual member. In the fall of 2020, I received an invitation to join the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Outreach Group. To date, I had been my own one-person band advocating for diversity and inclusion, so I jumped at the opportunity. The more I got involved with JEDI, the more intrigued I became with everything the ASA does. It didn’t take long for me to become a member and more heavily involved in the organization.

Beyond the great learning opportunities—whether it be conferences, webinars, or just mailing list discussions—the ASA gave me so many more opportunities to volunteer.

When I was in elementary school, a local professor came and tutored me twice a week in math, which was key to keeping my interest. I had great teachers who advocated for me to continue doing my coursework as independent study or going to the university for math. I know I was lucky to have those opportunities and I owe it to the next generation of mathematicians to pass it on.

Judging at the International Science and Engineering Fair last spring was one such opportunity. While it was a hectic weekend, I got to meet some great students doing amazing work. I got to speak to a young woman from Australia who was studying the flammability of native plants so that perhaps the recommendation to clear cut 100 feet from your house could be changed without raising your fire risk. Not only was her statistical analysis sound, but I also had a deputy fire marshal husband in the background who was very excited because she understood fire science and was using the right terminology.

Not long after that, the ASA Committee on Statistics and Disability was re-formed and I volunteered to liaise between CSD and JEDI. I had been attending all the CSD meetings and soon discovered they were an officer short; I volunteered to take the slot for very personal reasons. The federal government has a list of 12 highly targeted disabilities. These are a specific subset of disabilities that cause individuals to face significant barriers to employment primarily due to myths, fears, and stereotypes. I have four of the disabilities on the list: autism spectrum disorder (level II with obsessive-compulsive disorder tendencies), difficulty hearing, significant psychiatric disorders (chronic and complex post-traumatic stress disorder with dissociative symptoms, persistent depressive disorder with major depressive episodes (severe), and unspecified dissociative disorder), and significant disfigurement.

I went to college unaware of the level of discrimination I would face. A few months into freshman year, when the medical director noticed my diagnosis at an appointment, I was told someone like me didn’t belong at that school and I had to face a hearing to stay there. I faced issues with employers if I needed an accommodation or someone saw or heard something. Between college and my first job afterward, I learned I needed to mask my disabilities. It’s incredibly tiring to do so and, now that I work with a service dog, no longer possible.

I decided it’s good for others to know who I am in the hopes it relieves some of the stigma for them. I don’t want anyone to have to hide who they are. I want to be a visible part of the ASA community, so it’s clear this is a welcoming group where you don’t need to worry about rejection. Being on the CSD and helping set up JEDI has helped give me the platform and the voice to do so. This is me and my ASA story.

This series features ASA members who share their ASA stories. Our mission is to collect authentic and meaningful accounts of member experiences. If you have a story you would like to share, email the ASA’s marketing project manager, Kim Gilliam.