Michelle Clifford is a third-year Bachelor of Science student in Social Science at the University of Galway, originally from Nenagh, Tipperary. Passionate about integrating research with advocacy to drive social change, she focuses on women’s health, mental well-being, social justice, and disability rights. As the Disability Rights Officer for the University of Galway Students’ Union (2024–2025), she works to improve accessibility, advocate for better support services, and inclusivity on campus. 

Michelle also volunteers with Too Into You and SpunOut, contributing to initiatives that support young people’s well-being. She is particularly interested in health promotion and fostering a more inclusive society.

Ms Miriam Collins is a third-year law and human rights student in the University of Galway. Her focus on human rights in her education combined with her lived experience as a disabled student in university has motivated her involvement in disability rights advocacy in the University of Galway and her interest in promoting universal design to overcome barriers to accessing higher education.

Miriam was involved with the university’s Neurodivergent Society from February 2024 to January 2025, first as an ordinary committee member and subsequently as the auditor of the society. She has represented the voice of neurodivergent students on the University’s Accessibility Forum advocating for greater sensory accessibility on campus and was heavily involved in the design and implementation of the Calm Zone during high stress periods and was a co-applicant for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion fund to run the Calm Zone for the winter reading week and exam period. She is passionate about student staff collaboration and the incorporation of lived experience in service design and policy to improve accessibility for all students.

Niamh Griffin is a third-year Children’s Studies student at the University of Galway with a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion. For two years she served as the Accessibility Officer for the University of Galway’s Neurodivergent Society. In this role, Niamh represented neurodivergent voices on the University’s Physical Accessibility Forum.

Passionate about fostering inclusive environments, Niamh has actively championed numerous initiatives to enhance accessibility in the University, including the Calm Zone project. She was heavily involved in the collaborative process of planning and implementing the project. 

Niamh is a dedicated advocate for inclusive design and practice that is accessible to all students within the university.

Izzy Tiernan is the former Vice President for Welfare and Equality in University of Galway Students Union 2023/24 and has had a keen interest in accessibility since they were diagnosed as neurodivergent five years ago. They helped create, design and execute University of Galway's new Calm Zone, and have worked as an advocate on behalf of students with disabilities, as well as themself. They are excited and thrilled to share their perspective on being neurodivergent in the workplace, college and in an activist role, as well as learning from experts in the field of accessibility. For Izzy, intersectionality, lived experience and empathy are the most important qualities to bring to any discussion around disability.  

Erica Meslin is the Education Manager with AHEAD.  She is an experienced leader in the inclusion field bringing in a diverse background of working with marginalized and disadvantaged communities internationally.  Erica is passionate about accessibility and inclusion in education settings and is happy to play a key role with AHEAD’s education team.