10:45 Simultaneous Session: Lightning Session 1
10:45 Simultaneous Session: Lightning Session 1
Lightning 1.1: The Crowd4Access/University of Galway footpath mapping initiative: Improving accessibility through collaborating in Citizen Science
- Dr Deirdre McHugh, University of Galway
Dr Deirdre McHugh University of Galway
Dr Deirdre McHugh it the Campus Accessibility Project Coordinator in University of Galway, to improve the physical accessibility of the campus and to engage colleagues and students with accessibility and the principles of Universal Design, in line with university’s strategic values of openness and respect.
Brendan Smith Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics
Brendan Smith is the Education and Public Engagement Officer in Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, University of Galway. He organises many technology initiatives including coding workshops and use of smart technologies for Citizen Science. A Science and Technology learning advocate, with extensive experience of delivering educational programmes in Ireland, Africa and the Middle East.
Lightning 1.2: Inclusive Higher Education through an Algerian lens: Experiences of Disability Support Staff
- Fatma Bouabida, University Of The West Of Scotland
Fatma Bouabida University Of The West Of Scotland
Fatma Bouabida is a 3rd year PhD student within the ESS school at the University of the West of Scotland. Before coming to Scotland, she completed two courses: a Bachelor course in English language and literature (2013-2016), and a Master course in Didactics and Applied Linguistics (2016- 2018), at Mustapha Stambouli University, Mascara, Algeria. Fatma successfully completed a pre-sessional programme at Canterbury Christ Church University, and a doctoral induction programme at the University of the West Of Scotland. Currently, she is working on investigating the experiences of students with disabilities in Algerian higher education, and her research is funded by the Algerian government.
Lightning 1.3: Inclusive LMS (Learning Management System) for students with disabilities in HE
- Amin Sharifi Isaloo, Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC
Amin Sharifi Isaloo Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC
Dr?Amin Sharifi?is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology & Criminology at University College Cork.?His fields of interests include race, ethnicity, migration and nationalism. His recent publications are ‘Liminality in the Direct Provisional system’ (2020) and ‘Liminality and Modern Racism (2021).
Lightning 1.4: ‘Students with Disabilities on Placements: Guidance on the Provision of Reasonable Accommodations on Practice-based Placements in Professionally Accredited Programmes’: An Overview
- Dr Vivian Rath, National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee
Dr Vivian Rath National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee
Vivian is the Organiser of the National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee and the TCD Forum for Disabled Staff and Postgraduate Students. Vivian is an academic, a human and disability rights advocate and a change maker. He is currently an Adjunct Teaching Fellow in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Education and the Research Officer with the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD). His Ph.D, titled the “social engagement experiences of disabled students in higher education in Ireland”, focused on the areas of disabled student social engagement, transitions, voice and belonging.
Barbara Waters Journal Editor, AHEAD
Barbara Waters is the Project Lead on the Reasonable Accommodations, Professional Placements (RAPP) Project, Barbara was Chief Executive of Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, UK. 1996- 2010. Barbara represented Skill nationally on policy issues in education and disability related to post 16 education, training and employment. Since 2010 Barbara has worked as a researcher on further and higher education and disability. She was part of the LINK European network concerned with disabled students in higher education and has undertaken research on competence standards and learning outcomes in higher education for the Equality Challenge Unit, UK, published in 2015, looking particularly at Nursing, Teaching, Foreign Languages and STEM subjects. She was the evaluator of the Erasmus + programme on Universal Design for Learning completed in October 2016, and rapporteur for AHEAD Ireland in the MappED access programme with the Erasmus Student Network in 2017. Currently, she is the editor of the peer to peer Journal for AHEAD Ireland. She has an MA in Business and Public Sector Strategy and received an honorary doctorate from the Open University, UK.
11:55 Simultaneous Session: Lightning Session 2
11:55 Simultaneous Session: Lightning Session 2
Lightning 2.1: Assistive technology and feeling valued: Promoting inclusion for students with disabilities in higher education
- Dr Aoife McNicholl, Dublin City University
Dr Aoife McNicholl Dublin City University
Dr. Aoife McNicholl completed her PhD research on “Assistive technology outcomes and impacts among students with disabilities in higher education” in the School of Psychology in Dublin City University (DCU). She currently works as a part time lecturer in the School of Psychology and Universal Design Coordinator in DCU.
Lightning 2.2: UDL in Midwifery Education: Nurturing Students’ Sense of Coherence Towards Learning
Lightning 2.3: ENGAGE – An Online Learning Programme designed by Neurodivergent Educators for Neurodivergent Learners
- Claire O'Neill, ENGAGE Programme designer and facilitator
Claire O'Neill ENGAGE Programme designer and facilitator
Claire is an experienced primary and post primary teacher and teacher educator. She is research active and currently researching different support approaches for Autistic teachers. Claire writes regularly about Autism, Positive Psychology, and strengths-based approaches and her first solo-authored book was published in February 2023. She is also Head of Training for Thriving Autistic, a Social Enterprise committed to championing the rights of neurodivergent people. Claire is herself neurodivergent and her lived experience is central to her professional and academic work.
Lightning 2.4: Reasonable Accommodations for Disabled Staff in the Covid/Post-Covid Environment in Higher Education
- Dr Vivian Rath, National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee Fiona Smyth, University College Dublin
Fiona Smyth University College Dublin
Fiona is an Assoc Prof in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at UCD where she specialises in the History of Architecture and Science.