Pathways to Possibilities: Leaving No One Behind from Campus to Career
When: 11:00 - 13:00, 29th of April
Cost: Free of Charge
Where: Online
Register to attend this online event
Who Should Attend?
This seminar is ideal for researchers, employers, tertiary education staff, disability organisations, and anyone interested in the latest AHEAD research on the experiences of disabled students and learners as they progress through their studies and explore further study or labour market opportunities.
Seminar Overview:
Join us for an insightful webinar titled "Pathways to Possibilities: Leaving No One Behind from Campus to Career." As Ireland navigates a post-lockdown recovery with near full employment, disabled individuals continue to face significant barriers in education and employment. Despite progress, Ireland has the lowest disability employment rate (32.6%) and the highest disability employment gap (38.6%) among EU member states. This seminar will explore the barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
What to Expect:
Overview of AHEAD’s Research and Policy Activities: Learn about the work conducted by AHEAD’s Research and Policy Team over the past year, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and AHEAD’s rights-based approach.
Experiences of Disabled Students and Learners: Gain insights into the experiences of disabled students and learners in tertiary education, with a focus on support provision in Higher and Further Education.
Support Staff Perspectives: Understand the role of Disability Support Staff in translating recommended supports into the teaching and learning environment.
Current Challenges and Opportunities: Discuss the impact of policy mechanisms and funding streams on the diversity of the student body and the challenges faced by disabled individuals in education.
Research Findings: Discover key findings from AHEAD’s research, including a 132% increase in students registered with Disability Support Services in Higher Education over the last decade.
Presenters:
Dr. Richard Healy, Research and Policy Officer, AHEAD: Evolving Supports in Tertiary Education: Overcoming the Challenges of Rising Diversity
Dara Ryder, CEO, AHEAD: Introduction to AHEAD’s Research Approach—Amplifying Unheard Voices in the Policy Landscape
Nicole Bennett, LaunchPAD Coordinator: Postgraduate Supports and Opportunities: LaunchPAD—Aims, Objectives, and Progress
Catherine Murray, Co-researcher of the WIDE Framework at AHEAD: Ireland’s Disability & Employment Gap: Turning Challenges into Change with the WIDE Framework
Key Topics:
Overview of AHEAD’s Research and Policy Team’s activities and projects advocating for disabled students and graduates.
Experiences of disabled learners and students in tertiary education and the labour market.
Key findings from longitudinal datasets and research on evolving supports in Further and HIgher Education.
Insights from the LaunchPAD project on postgraduate study challenges for disabled graduates.
Outcomes and progress of the WIDE Framework, supporting employers in creating inclusive working environments.
Conclusion and Q&A Session:
We will conclude the seminar with actionable recommendations and strategies to empower disabled students to succeed. Following the presentation, our experts will address your questions and engage in a meaningful discussion on the future of disability support in education and the workplace. Register to attend this event online! We look forward to an engaging and informative session.
Download Slides for Sessions:
Session 1: Evolving Disability Support in Tertiary Education
Presenter: Dr. Richard Healy, Research and Policy Officer, AHEAD: Evolving Supports in Tertiary Education: Overcoming the Challenges of Rising Diversity
Download Slides for Presentation 1
Session 2: Post Graduate Presentation; The Disabled Postgraduate Experience
Presenter: Nicole Bennett, LaunchPAD Coordinator: Postgraduate Supports and Opportunities: LaunchPAD—Aims, Objectives, and Progress
Session 3: The WIDE Framework
Presenters:
Catherine Murray, Co-researcher of the WIDE Framework at AHEAD: Ireland’s Disability & Employment Gap: Turning Challenges into Change with the WIDE Framework
Dara Ryder, CEO, AHEAD: Introduction to AHEAD’s Research Approach—Amplifying Unheard Voices in the Policy Landscape
Schedule Overview:
Time |
Activity |
|
11:00-11.15AM |
Introduction |
|
11.15-11.35AM |
Evolving Disability Support in Tertiary Education with Dr Richard Healy |
|
11.35-11.45AM |
Comfort Break |
|
11.45-12.05PM |
Post Graduate Presentation; The Disabled Postgraduate Experience with Nicole Bennett |
|
12.05-12.25PM |
The WIDE Framework with Catherine Murray and Dara Ryder |
| 12.25-12.40PM | Breakout Discussion Rooms |
| 12.40PM-1PM | Q&A and Close |