Agenda

Leesa Flynn is a primary school teacher and disability advocate from Co. Leitrim. She qualified as a primary school teacher in Maynooth University in 2023. As Leesa was born with Spina Bifida, she is a wheelchair/walking-frame user, and is the first wheelchair user to qualify as a primary school teacher in Maynooth University. It is also thought that she is the first wheelchair user to do this on a national level. Leesa uses her online presence on social media to highlight the struggles that people with disabilities face, but also how she has overcome these hurdles. She is currently working as a teacher at home in Leitrim.

Carol has been the Active Inclusion Officer with Cork ETB since December 2019, seconded to that post from a very long-standing career teaching PLC learners; working as Champion of Disability in her college and having a particular interest in supporting vulnerable learners with in-house educational testing. She became a member of the original Cork Active Inclusion Network created in conjunction with AHEAD 2017; UDL facilitator 2020; ‘Ahead Start’ (AHEAD) graduate; Teacher trainer in educational assessments (Education Elephant); and combines her Active Inclusion role with working as an Educational Psychologist:  BA.(Hons) App. Psy., M.Ed -Lifelong Learning, MSc. Psy., ADOS & ADI-R trained, RQTU, APC PATOSS, MBPS, MPSI.

Trevor Boland is an experienced Assistive Technology Officer working in Higher Education supporting Students with disabilities. He previously lectured in the Access programme for non-traditional students in TU Dublin.

Trevor was previously the Digital and eLearning Officer in AHEAD and has been involved in the National rollout of the UDL Badge with UCD and the Teaching and Learning Forum. 

Joseph McLoughlin is a first-year engineering student at Dublin City University (DCU). He's passionate about spreading awareness about disabilities and making sure that their voices are heard. This passion stems from his own experiences with Autism, Narcolepsy, and ADHD. Joseph completed a PLC programme prior to starting at DCU, specifically Preliminary Engineering in Coláiste Dhúlaigh. This means that he has experience in both Further and Higher education. He has had the pleasure of knowing a wide range of people, both with and without disabilities. This has helped him understand the perspectives of both groups. Joseph believes that many of the difficulties faced by those with disabilities can be addressed through greater awareness of their experiences and a problem-solving attitude that focuses on removing barriers faced by people with disabilities in their daily lives.

Alice has a Bachelors degree in Makeup & Character Design from Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), where she honed her creative skills and developed a keen eye for detail. With a deep passion for advocacy, politics, and social justice issues, Alice pursued further education, earning a postgraduate certificate in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion from the University of Limerick.

Having worked in the mental health sector for a number of years before coming to AHEAD, Alice is driven by a commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding,  dedicated to promoting Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Health awareness and cultivating a positive workplace culture. 

Farhan was a student at the University of Galway, completing his Masters in Software Design and Development. He is hearing impaired, his right ear is completely deaf and his left ear is 50% deaf, since birth! He started out as an intern in June 2025 at Guidewire and transitioned into a full time Software Engineer in December 2025!