Day 1: Wednesday March 19th

Day 1: Wednesday March 19th

09:00 Registration/Coffee

09:30 Welcome and Introduction [Wicklow Hall 2]

10:00 Prof Anna Lawson - Universal Human Rights and Universal Design: Toward the Necessary Symbiosis [Keynote] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Prof Anna Lawson, University of Leeds

10:40 Session 1: The Access UCC DS Employability Programme: A Model of Good Practice for Inclusive Recruitment [Workshop] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Shay Nolan, University College Cork Elodie O’Donovan, University College Cork

10:40 Session 2: Moving From Generic Reasonable Accommodations to Individualised, Specific Accommodations that Support Students’ Success on Practice Placement [Workshop] [Wicklow Hall 1]

  1. Julie Flanagan, National Rehabilitation Hospital

11:20 Break

11:40 Session 1: The Calm Zone: Innovating Accessibility Through Student Leadership [Panel Discussion] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Michelle Clifford, University of Galway Miriam Collins, University of Galway Niamh Griffin, University of Galway Izzy Tiernan, University of Galway Erica Meslin, Education Manager, AHEAD

11:40 Session 2: Transform EDU - Employer Collaboration to Promote Graduate Employability [Workshop] [Meeting 1]

  1. Dr Aiden Carthy, TU Dublin Amanda Dixon (BBS, MBS), TU Dublin

12:30 Session 1: Pathways to Employment [Lightning Sessions] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Lightning 1.1: Pathways to the Professions - a model to improve access and inclusion for early career success
    Kathie Orr, University College Dublin
  2. Lightning 1.2: The Cuimsiú Programme: A WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme
    Nicole Lonican, Cuimsiú
  3. Lightning 1.3: The Role of University in Preparing Students with Special Needs for Future Work
    Katarzyna Jach, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland
  4. Lightning 1.4: MTU’s Ready Steady Work (RSW): A Framework for Developing Student Employability Skills
    Olga Mitchell, Munster Technological University

12:30 Session 2: Using Photovoice as a Method to Prepare Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Third-Level Education for Employment [Workshop] [Meeting 1]

  1. Dr Catherine Kelly Mason, South East Technological University Dr Sara Kennedy, South East Technological University

13:10 Lunch

14:10 Game On: Empowering Students Through Esports for Career Readiness [Workshop] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Ronan Fox, National Learning Network Eimear O'Driscoll, National Learning Network

14:10 ALTITUDE Charter Adoption Clinic – Drop in to get advice on embedding universal design in your ETB/HEI [Meeting 2]

15:00 Session 1: Students with Disabilities Advisory Group [Panel Discussion] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Joseph McLoughlin, Luna Fleming, Cara Clarke, TUD Graduate Cal De Nicolas Audoin, Advisory Group member

15:00 Session 2: Options Abound [Lightning Sessions] [Meeting 1]

  1. The Student Transformative Learning Record (STLR)
  2. Empower Employment: AsIAm Employment Programme
    Mairéad McHale, AsIAm
  3. MyCareerPath Supports Inclusive Employability Module for all students
    Bridie Killoran, Atlantic Technological University Sally Reidy, Atlantic Technological University

15:45 Storytelling [Lightning Sessions] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Lightning 2.1: Learner Spotlight
    Rosalind Threadgold, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) Sarah Lavan, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB)
  2. Lightning 2.2: Tertiary Education as Accessible Workplaces
    Connor Duignan, Innopharma Education
  3. Lightning 2.3: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Colleagues from the Perspective of an Autistic Person
    Sarah Pattison, Munster Technological University
  4. Lightning 2.4: Psychological Adjustment and Educational Support: Experiences of Students with Dyslexia
    Dr Ciara Egan, University of Galway Caoimhe O’ Malley, Dyslexia Ireland

16:15 Celebrating 20 Years of the WAM Programme

16:30 Drinks Reception

Day 2: Thursday March 20th

Day 2: Thursday March 20th

09:30 Welcome and Introduction [Wicklow Hall 2]

10:00 Dr Mary Quirke - Sink or Swim? Let’s Build a Better Boat for Learners in Transition [Keynote] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Dr. Mary Quirke, Guidance Specialist

10:40 Session 1: Research to Bridge the Gap [Lightning Sessions] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Lightning 1.1 Energy Accounting
    Clare Squires, De Montfort University Tabitha Biller, De Montfort University
  2. Lightning 1.2 From Education to Employment: Turning Barriers into Opportunities
    Dr Eng. Marta Skierniewska, Warsaw University of Technology
  3. Lightning 1.3 Brain in Hand Support: Facilitating Transition and Retention within Education through to the Workplace
    Sarah Hutchings, Brain in Hand
  4. Lightning 1.4 Experiences of Students with Dyslexia in Higher Education on the Use of Technology and AI
    Cathal O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland and part-time PhD student in UCD

10:40 Session 2: Building Skills, Confidence and Community Through Inclusive Peer Learning [Workshop] [Wicklow Hall 1]

  1. Joe Kennedy, CÉIM Kerry Lawless, CÉIM

11:20 Break

11:40 Session 1: UDL to Bridge the Gap [Lightning Sessions] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Lightning 2.1 Bridging Universal Design for Learning into Clinical Practice Environments
    Dr John Gilmore, University College Dublin Dr Freda Browne, University College Dublin
  2. Lightning 2.2 Future Proofing
    Clare Squires, De Montfort University Adam Davison, De Montfort University
  3. Lightning 2.3 Widening Inclusion of Disability in Employment (WIDE) - How Do We Do It?
    Catherine Murray, Research Administrative Assistant, AHEAD Dara Ryder, CEO, AHEAD
  4. Lightning 2.4 Disability Culture Matters on Think UDL
    Lillian Nave, Appalachian State University Jill Weidknecht Van Horne, Appalachian State University
  5. Lightning 2.5 A Practice Reflection on a Partnership Between a University and WAM Programme- When the University is the Learner
    Aileen Kennedy, Assistant Registrar and Head of Student Engagement, Munster Technological University Margaret Finch, Munster Technological University

11:40 Session 2: Preparation and Performance - Supporting Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Internships [Workshop] [Meeting 1]

  1. Emer Murphy, TCPID, Trinity College Dublin Barbara Ringwood, TCPID, Trinity College Dublin Marie Devitt, TCPID, Trinity College Dublin

11:40 ALTITUDE Charter Adoption Clinic – Drop in to get advice on embedding universal design in your ETB/HEI [Meeting 2]

12:30 Exploring Gaps and Opportunities in Supporting Postgraduates and Early Career Researchers with Disabilities, hosted by LaunchPad [Panel Discussion] [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Alexa MacDermot, University College Dublin Dr. Declan Reilly, Disability Officer, Trinity College Dublin

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Empowering Employment – An Overview of AHEAD’s WAM Programme and GetAHEAD Initiative [Wicklow Hall 2]

  1. Banba Fitzgerald, AHEAD- GetAHEAD Officer Philip Carroll, AHEAD- WAM Project Officer

ahead conference supported by solas & the hea

With thanks to SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority who provide core funding for AHEAD's activities promoting inclusion in the tertiary education:

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This article appeared in the AHEAD website. Visit www.ahead.ie for more information