AHEAD Ireland

14/11/2025

We need your help. LaunchPAD is researching system perspectives on the inclusion of disabled people in postgraduate study. We need participants for semi-structured interviews and focus groups, all online at a time that works for you. If you work with disabled postgraduate students (be it in a support capacity, as a supervisor, or on a more institutional or national basis) we want to hear from you. Expression of interest form and further information available here: https://buff.ly/O13Sjo6

13/11/2025

10 days to go! Looking for a part-time role where you can make a difference? We're on the hunt for a passionate Student Engagement and Administrative Support Officer to help us to platform the views of disabled students from further and higher education across all of our work.

If you have experience running clubs and societies, if you were your class rep, or if you worked on your student union this could be the right fit. Or maybe you have experience volunteering, or advocating for rights in other ways. We want to hear from you!

Working within AHEAD’s Education team, you will have the opportunity to:
- Be a part of a mission-driven, non-profit team creating a more inclusive education environment across Ireland
- Avail of a hybrid working model (1–2 days in our Blackrock office, the rest from home)
- Plan events, deliver workshops, and bring student voices to the forefront
- Work closely with inspiring student leaders and education partners nationwide

Closing date for applications is 5pm, Sunday 23rd November 2025.

To learn more and apply for this role, visit: https://buff.ly/OY0Ub4a

- AHEAD

12/11/2025

Missed Better Options 2025 or want to recap? All session recordings are now available on the resources section of our website. Hear from students, colleges and disability support staff as they share advice and insights on preparing for college. Available here: https://buff.ly/deOiYZg

11/11/2025

Working on something you're burning to share? 🔥

The AHEAD journal provides a platform for a range of topics on inclusive practices for disabled people in tertiary education and employment. We love to see submissions from students and graduates too!

Contact our sub-editor Lorraine Gallagher at lorraine.gallagher@ahead.ie to discuss your ideas and for a copy of the guidelines on the submission process for the AHEAD Journal.

Closing date for submissions is 9th January 2026.

04/11/2025

The LaunchPAD project is excited to release 'Voices in the Community' - new research on the experiences of disabled postgraduate students in Irish higher education.

Explore the findings and view the call for participants for our phase 2 research with system stakeholders here: https://buff.ly/lWX4bsE

LaunchPAD is a project of AHEAD Ireland and NDPAC, funded by the Higher Education Authority

03/11/2025

AHEAD and Employers for Change were delighted to recently launch the WIDE Framework – Your roadmap to Inclusive Workplace. It helps organisations on the Island of Ireland hire, retain, and promote more disabled people and create a more inclusive workplace.

It features guidance, a resource library, links to legislation and free self-review tools for employers.

Explore the WIDE Framework here: https://buff.ly/jBrYJkm

Supplier Directory - Add your organisation!

We are currently inviting organisations that provide inclusive workplace related products and services across the Island of Ireland to join our free Supplier Directory - from accessibility auditors to assistive technology providers.

Apply to be added we'll review within 60 days: https://buff.ly/H6qBUOi

The development of WIDE was funded by the Department of Social Protection.

30/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Better Options 2025 event by AHEAD Ireland

Couldn’t make it to every session? Don’t worry! Event recordings will be available soon! Stay tuned for updates on how to catch up on all the brilliant discussions and stories shared throughout the day.

29/10/2025

AHEAD is searching for a passionate Student Engagement and Administrative Support Officer to help us build a thriving community of students with disabilities in further and higher education, directly relaying the disabled student voice across all of our outputs.

Working within AHEAD’s Education team, you will have the opportunity to:
- Be a part of a mission-driven, non-profit team creating a more inclusive education environment across Ireland
- Avail of a hybrid working model (1–2 days in our Blackrock office, the rest from home)
- Plan events, deliver workshops, and bring student voices to the forefront
- Work closely with inspiring student leaders and education partners nationwide

Closing date for applications is 5pm, Sunday 23rd November 2025.

To learn more and apply for this role, visit: https://buff.ly/OY0Ub4a

28/10/2025

We are pleased to release the second video introducing our new LaunchPAD Ambassadors Group coordinated by AHEAD and NDPAC! They will be sharing their lived experience of being a disabled postgraduate and advocating for change relating to access and success to postgraduate study and academic careers.

To hear more from them, come to the release of LaunchPAD’s new research on the experiences of disabled postgraduate students in Irish higher education, next Tuesday November 4th at 11:00AM! Register here: https://buff.ly/JjsfLsY

ISL and Captions Provided. This research was funded by the Higher Education Authority.

27/10/2025

There's still time to get involved! The deadline to submit your proposal to the inaugural ALTITUDE Summit / AHEAD Conference 2026 has been extended to 5:00 pm, Wednesday 5 November 2025.

We’re inviting contributions that bring the ALTITUDE Charter to life, Ireland’s National Charter for Universal Design in Tertiary Education.

Share your ideas, research, and practice through lightning talks, short presentations, workshops or posters.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation on inclusive design in tertiary education.

Submit your proposal here: buff.ly/2dIVAby

26/10/2025

AHEAD and ETBI are continuing to work in partnership on the Reasonable Accommodations in FET project, to support the experience of disabled learners in Further Education and Training.

Check out the project timeline and latest updates below, and visit ahead.ie/ra-in-fet for more information, research, and resources.

23/10/2025

Registration is now open for AHEAD Start 2026!

AHEAD Start is AHEAD's online learning training course on supporting students with disabilities in Further and Higher education.

This comprehensive programme explores inclusive practices, legal obligations, assistive technology and the needs assessment process, providing participants with the knowledge and tools to confidently support disabled students.

A past participant noted that “It is an excellent course and very valuable for anyone working closely with students. I did struggle to find the time to attend the webinars as it was the busiest time of term. It is great to be able to watch back in your own time. Very accessible course.”

Register now to secure your place! Registration closes on 15th December 2025 https://buff.ly/GdYdufL