Our Week Online
Wednesday, 17th January 2018
Every wednesday we round up the most interesting disability/education/employment related stories from internal/external sources that we've come across and posted on our social media over the past week. Below you can find this week's:
Wednesday 24/01/2018
- Appwatch: Camscanner (free basic version for android & iOS) let's you scan documents on the go and save/email them as pdfs. Great for when you are researching in the library and want to grab a few pages for later use!
- People with hidden #disabilities in the UK could soon be entitled to blue badge car parking permits under Department for Transport proposals.
- We've designed instructions & learning materials for an introductory professional development course on #UDL. These materials are freely available to institutions interested in rolling it out locally. Find out more on our website.
- How can you make your #workplace more #inclusive and #accessible?
- Video Fri: #MentalHealth and Mental Well-being Whether on #Campus or in #Work? - Dr. Emma Farrell
- "It is critical to enrich the #STEM #learning environment to accommodate all #students and give them the tools they need to succeed"
- If you're a #student having trouble choosing your subject choices, this blog will help you figure it out.
- If you missed our WAM event 'Staying AHEAD of the Stress', you don't have to worry, you can catch videos of the presentations on our website now.
Previous Editions
Wednesday 17th Jan 2018
- Appwatch: Designed for a wide range of users, this calculator has large colorful buttons, optional high contrast, full #VoiceOver support, and unique to this calculator; the option to use speech for answers, button names and formulas
- A run through of what the #DARE scheme on #CAO is all about and how you can apply
- If you're a #learner with an interest in #UDL, inclusion in #education and want to attend our Conference on March 20th/21st, enter this draw for a chance to win a free ticket to the event
- The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the child and family agency Tusla are reviewing the cases of almost 500 #children with #disabilities in care, following an investigation.
- If you're thinking of a #career in #education have a look at our INTO series, you'll find some tips and advice for #students with #disabilities seeking to enter a course/career in teaching.
- Ahead of our Conference in Croke Park March 20/21st we're asking people in HE/FE to share their example of a barrier to an inclusive campus/edu. Tweet us & let us know what problems at institutional,faculty or student support level you face #ElephantAHEAD
- Video Fri: Elise Roy,#disability rights lawyer and #design thinker, believes when we design for disability first, you often stumble upon solutions that are better than those when we design for the norm"
- 'People with #disabilities are not always easy to spot. The Australian Network on Disability places the number of people who use a #wheelchair at 4.4%, while the number of people with a disability is reported at around 18%. '
- If you're a more visual #learner concept maps could be a great way to help you #study
- Want to know more about AHEAD and UCD's Universal Design in Teaching & Learning (#UDL)? Have a look on our website and register for our workshop on Jan 31st
- From today, leaving Cert #students can now get free #maths tutoring on Facebook from @TheMathsTutor
Wednesday 10/01/18
- Appwatch: Idea Sketch, a free app, allows text to be turned into diagrams (flow charts, mind maps and concept maps)
- How #image #descriptions can make #socialmedia more #accessible to #blind and #visuallyimpaired #users
- If you're planning an #erasmus #year or looking to #study abroad take a look at our #guide to all the different things you'll need to consider as a #student with a #disability heading off to experience a different part of the world
- "132,000 #people with #disabilities were living in consistent #poverty in 2015 and the consistent poverty rate for these people was 22% in 2015, compared to a #national average that year of 8.7%"
- Reminder to anyone filling out #CAO you must apply and indicate you want to be considered for #DARE by the 1st Feb and fill out the #online #application form for DARE by 1 March. Find an application timeline here
- Have a look on our website for a draft schedule of our Conference 2018, Let’s Bring the Elephant into the Room - Reshaping the #inclusive environment in #further & #higher #education #elephantAHEAD
- Video Fri: As part of our INTO series, Therese Danaher from @DublinCityUni talks about #supports for #student #nurses who have #disabilities
- This woman created a #fitness #programme to help #mentalhealth after finding exercise helped her #anxiety and panic attacks
- There are still some places left on our upcoming AHEAD Start Course, our blended #learning #training #course on supporting #students with #disabilities in #further and #higher #education. More information on our website
- This #article offers some a#dvice for #parents when talking to their children about #disability
- Have you got January #exams in #college? Here's some tips on achieving #balance and getting the most out of #study
Wednesday 03/01/18
- The #Dáil is finally set to vote on ratifying the #UN Convention on the rights of #persons with #disabilities this February
- @firstfortnight is a mental health arts #festival that challenges #mentalhealth prejudice through #arts and #cultural action. You can find a list of events here
- Appwatch: Designed for a wide range of users, Talking Calculator, has large colorful buttons, optional high contrast, full VoiceOver support, and unique to this calculator; the option to use speech for answers, button names and formulas
- Have you got January #exams in #college? Here's some tips on achieving #balance and getting the most out of #study
Wednesday 20/12/2017
- Appwatch: DEAL Talking Tags is a talking label maker/#reader #application, #designed in support of #accommodating the access needs of individuals who are #blind
- According to Social Justice Ireland, only 31pc of working-age people with a #disability are #employed. Failure to #include people with #disabilities in the #workplace is a major loss to #society.
- Rebecca, a #Deaf writer and dance #teacher, discusses #assumptions as a barrier to #inclusion for people with #disabilities
- This #student in America, who is #blind, challenged and changed her #university after dealing with #accessibility issues in her #STEM course
- Have you had a look at our new INTO series? Each section relates to a different #career path or aspect of #college life and is designed to help #students with #disabilities get started on their college journey.
- Protesters yesterday called on the #Government to ratify a #UN convention it signed 10 years ago but has not acted on to guarantee #equal human #rights for people with #disabilities.
- Video Fri: Into DARE for Students with Disabilities
- These apps can help #students improve their typing #skills
Wednesday 1/11/17
- Appwatch:BrainInHand offers personalised support to users with #autism & #mentalhealth & #SLD with daily activities.
- These #students highlight the challenges in getting to a truely #inclusive campus, not only infrastructure!
- The important #assistivetech that is already in the mainstream.
- What grants are available for help #employers support their #employees with #disabilities?
- What are the benefits of #online #course evaluation and #assessment?
- Video Fri: Top 5 Tips for #Employers #Recruiting #Graduates with #Disabilities.
- #College can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here's our tips to make the most of your college experience.
- Considering #studying abroad? Here's what supports are in place for #students with #disabilities on #Erasmus.
- Poor #mentalhealth costs the UK economy up to £99bn each year with 300,000 people leaving work due to mental health.
Wednesday 25/10/17
- Appwatch: Clips (iOS) is a video editing app - great feature which allows you to dictate captions and auto sync.
- This infograhpic goes through, facts, myths and famous people who have #dyslexia
- @Aware free #programme helps users manage #stress, #worry, #anxiety or #depression. Register and find out more here
- Are you an #employer? Know what government #grants are available for #inclusion of people with #disabilities at work
- Video Fri: #Irish #students with #disabilities talk about their views on #teaching, #learning and #assessment
- It's World Osteporosis Day, @AbilityNet show how #tech and #computers can help those who have #osteporosis
- 5 tips for #teachers with #students that have #dyslexia
- Looking to get to #college? Our DisAbility Acess Map helps you plan your route to college
- Doris explains her journey with #depression, from reaching out to friends, #diagnosis, #treatment and #working
Wednesday 18/10/17
- App watch: #Accessible Literacy #Learning helps non-verbal students learn to read using component skills
- How many people in your office have a #disability? This article looks at the cost of #discrimination in America
- 5 truths about #dyslexia and why children with the #learning difficulty are often left behind
- Have a read of our guide to creating #accessible documents
- Video Fri: My Letter to Dyslexia by Vernon François
- Ireland's first freedom #tech event will be held this month
- The Irish Times discussed the quality and ease of #access to #education for #deaf children
- Are you clued in to the #legislation around #access to #education and services for people with #disabilities
- Solas looks at linking further #education funding with performance to help meet #skill needs
Wednesday 11/10/17
- Appwatch: Dragon Dictation is a voice recognition application that easily turns voice to text or email messages
- How #technology is making #STEM more accessible for #students with #disabilities
- Do you have an upcoming #interview? Here's our tips on dressing for success
- Read James' story of his social #anxiety disorder on @SpunOut
- Are you a #graduate wondering what the next step is? Here's some ideas
- Have a read of this Survival Guide for #students with #dylexia in #college
- Video Fri: Why college matters for people with disabilities
- The New Economics Foundation (NEF) developed Five Ways to Wellbeing, ways you can feel good and function well
- Our top tips for new #students with #disabilities starting #college
- The #valuable campaign wants #business leaders to put #disability on their boardroom agenda
- Taoiseach acknowledged shortcomings and problems in the #disability sector and indcates increased funding in budget
- What are the benefits of joining clubs and societies in #college?
- UCL (University College London) Engineering has opened a global #disability innovation hub
- This video gives tips to #employers and #employees with #dyslexia to help understand #workplace barriers
- UCC are offering #law taster #classes for 5th and 6th year #students in February
- Projct ABLE is a tool to enhance the #Employment potential for Job Seekers with #Autism by looking at employer needs
Wednesday 04/10/2017
- Appwatch:Brainscape is a flashcard creator and sharing app that allows users to customise timing settings
- Delighted to be attending @gradireland #gradfair on Otcober 4th which will have #ISL interpreters on the day
- We are delighted to launch,with UCD #Access & Lifelong #Learning, our #Digital Badge initiative, find out more here
- #Disability organisations have launched a #campaign to highlight the danger of obstructing public spaces
- Video Fri: Challenging Assumptions, barriers to inclusion
- People with #disabilities in the UK apply for 60% more #jobs than people without disabilities before being #employed
- Why the world expert on #Asperger's took 30 years to notice condition in his own son
- Find out all about our WAM programme and its success on @gradireland blog ahead of their #gradfair on Wed in RDS
- Read how @gradireland have made their #Graduate #Careers Fair #accessible and how to register for free attendance
Wednesday 27/9/2017
- Appwatch: Dragon Dictation is a voice recognition application that turns voice into text for documents or emails
- @guardian want to know your experience of #accessiblity in cities
- #Graduates, #engineers and people with #disabilities paired up for this #hackathon in Canada
- Video Fri: UCD #graduates tell their stories of #diversity on #campus
- #CEO Jessica May discusses #inclusion in #employment and her experience of #diversity at #work
- SCFE will have an open day on 22nd November as part of #college awareness week
- A guide for #students when preparing for #college open days
- Are you a final year in #college? Here's a start to making a #plan for after college
- Trinity #college has opened a Centre for Ageing and #Intellectual #Disability
Wednesday 20/09/2017
- Appwatch: Voice Dream Reader reads documents aloud, and can be tailored to every reading style and level
- If you're starting #college @TheUSI have tips on managing your #finances
- Have a look at what's coming up in #ISL Awareness Week
- What value could #volunteering have during your time in #college
- This #report looks at how the #mentalhealth of #school #students is managed
- Video Fri: Towards Firm Assessment Goals & Flexible Assessment means in higher education - from #udlAHEAD 2017
- We're delighted to be at the launch of ISL Awareness week in the Mansion House this morning
- Taking notes in #college is an important skill, this #article has some #tips on effective #notetaking
- @NCBI_sightloss are hosting a #Sightless #Cinema on September 27th in The Lighthouse Cinema
WEDNESDAY 6/09/2017
- Appwatch: Idea Sketch, a free app, allows text to be turned into diagrams (flow charts, mind maps and concept maps)
- If you haven't got an offer for a #college course, you still have options
- Could #selfemployment be a better option for people with #disabilities?
- What should you expect from your 1st year in #college?
- More people with #disabilities are leaving #jobs than starting them in the UK
- Video Fri: An Inclusive Practice Toolkit for Academic Staff - Deborah Gibberd at #udlAHEAD 2017
- AHEAD shared some prospective on what #students with #mentalhealth difficulties need to succeed in #college
- Interested in finding out more about #college? Our college fair for people with #disabilities is not to be missed
- How can an online #college course be made more #accessible?
- The CEIA in Cork are offering free #maths tutorials to #leavingcert #students from September to December 2017
- If you're starting #college find your route with our #DisAbility #Access Map
- Wondering how to create an #inclusive teaching environment for people with #disabilities?
- #Mentalhealth expert lists 5 questions #students ask #teachers about mental health and how to answer them
- Are you wondering how and if you should #disclose your #disability to an employer? Read some of our advice:
- ‘She has a language difficulty – not a learning disability’ - #deaf student thriving with the right supports - Times
- This festival achieved '#disability gold' status for access to live music
WEDNESDAY 30/08/2017
- Appwatch: iTalk is a text to voice app that can be used as an #AAC device for #communication
- @SpunOut explains all you need to know about your #CAO2017 options and what to do now
- Does the answer to the #employment gap for people with #disabilities lie in attitudes in higher up positions?
- If you didn't get an offer from #CAO2017 make sure to check out the available places option.
- This article explains how @amazon #Echo can aid people with a #visionimpairment
- Have questions around accepting your #CAO offer? @IrishTimes goes through some FAQs when it comes to #CAO2017
- What it the truth about and what does it mean to be an #empoweredlearner?
- How Microsoft Word can aid #learners with #literacy #disabilities
- Read more about the #valuable campaign, aiming to tackle #disability exclusion in the #workplace
- Watch former AHEAD staff member talk about attitudes to #disability in the workplace on @TV3Ireland yesterday
- Today is the last day to book a place in our Autumn class for AHEAD Start
- Video Fri: Review of 3rd Level transition supports for 1st year students within a #UDL Framework.
- ‘Why won’t you have sex with me?’ A real look at #disability & relationships - Irish Times.
- Essentials for the start of the #college year from SpunOut.ie.
- #Deaf children and their families fight to be heard - Irish Times feat. AHEAD stats.
Wed 23 August 2017
- Appwatch: RealCalc Scientific Calculator for android is a user friendly calc app with lots of great memory functions
- Does the answer to the #employment gap for people with #disabilities lie in attitudes in higher up positions?
- SpunOut explains all you need to know about your #CAO2017 options and what to do now
- Read what we had to say about supports available for people with #disabilities in #college in #Ireland
- Congrats to everyone receiving #CAO2017 offers, here's what you can expect from your first year in #college
- #Disability didn't stop this woman from getting her #lc and receiving her dream #CAO offer
- Video Fri: Challenging Assumptions: Barriers to Inclusion - Paddy Turner (NADP) at #udlAHEAD
- Video Fri: A student’s integrated apps journey: accessibility for the road ahead - from #udlAHEAD
- What can you expect in your first year at college?
- Thinking of getting an #lc script reviewed? Read some advice on the #appeals process
- Are you starting college in September? Read our FAQs for any worries or questions you have
- The #UDL framework emphasizes the importance of building expert #learners,here's the top 5 tips to achieving this
- Here's an #ISL Plain English video explaining the Make Work Pay #report from the #DSP
- Received your #LCresults today? If you're heading to college know what your #disability service can do for you
- Well done to all who recieved #lcresults today! Read how this #Paralympian juggled her sport and the #leavingcert
Wed 16 August 2017
- Appwatch:Prizmo scans documents, imports them to other apps or calendars and has a build in #text-to-speech feature
- Starting a new job? Kepp up to date on all #legislation on rights for people with #disabilities it the #workplace
- Are you a #student expecting #LCresultstomorrow? Here's what to expect
- Congratulations to @WesoChannel for raising almost €7,000 for @IrishDeafSoc by swimming the English Channel
- How is #education is being changed by #technology advances?
- What does #Brexit mean for Irish employees with #disabilities?
- This two women talk about managing a working life living with limited energy due to #chronicillness
- Video Fri: Mental Health Matters: How #UDLpractices benefit students with #MentalHealthdifficulties.
- Have an interview coming up? Here's our top tips for getting prepared
- Five things you need to know if your child is waiting for #leavingcert results
- Tips for students, teachers and education leaders on making a goal a successful achievement, from Harvard
- Read this #Blind man's story of obtaining his law #degree as a refugee
- College lecturers criticised plans for education ranking they say focuses on student satisfaction.
Wed 9 August 2017
- Appwatch: Speak it! is an advanced text to speech app, it can read anything from emails, texts, articles to documents
- Developments in the US to bridge gap in progression to third level
#education between#Deaf and hearing students. - A mother of child with a
#disability discusses needs in#education and why a diagnosis is not a bad thing - More
#students than ever are being offered early#CAO places - This quick quiz can help you identify
#disability discrimination and how to deal with it - This website gives people without
#dyslexia an insight into what people with it experience when reading - This US programme aims to rise employment levels for
#students with intellectual#disabilities - Video Fri: The
#Deaf Student Voice: Experiences of#ISL Interpretation in Higher Ed - from#udlAHEAD conference. - This business man talks about living with a disability and how it hasn't stopped his entrepreneurial aspirations
- A free Assistive Technology Catalogue will help employers understand what to offer to colleagues with
#disabilities - Randy Lewis from Walgreens, gives tips on an inclusive
#workplace including focusing on people not processes
Wed 2 August 2017
- Appwatch: Any.do is a free task manager with a to-do list, calendar, and assistant to make organisation easier.
- Malawi become 30th state to ratify #MarrakeshTreaty on access to books for people with print disabilities-more here!
- Growing student numbers & reduced staffing placing quality of grads ‘at risk’ in higher ed - state review underway.
- Katie Novak explains Universal Design for Learning through a dinner party analogy - simple and effective!
- Fantastic Ted Talk by the wonderful Sinead Burke aka Minnie Melange - Why design should include everyone.
- Just 4 days left grads with a #disability to apply for 12 month #WAMplacement with DELL as Graduate Account Manager!
- Video Fri: The 2 Way Learning Street: How Mentoring Benefits All - Christel Berg at #udlAHEAD 2017.
- The protest and power of #disability activism: 'It's not as sexy as gay rights or climate change' - Guardian
- Students hoping to head to college in September - check out these 8 money saving budget apps! - Spunout.
- Heading to college in Sept? Get some easy tips on eating healthy on a budget from Spunout!
Wed 26 Jul 2017
- Appwatch: Adobe Scan turns your device into a powerful portable scanner that recognizes text automatically (OCR).
- Eating disorders and me: Steve James' story - BBC News.
- We are either super human or a burden - Lee Ridley on his forthcoming stand-up show 'Inspiration Porn’.
- How cool is this? The UK's first sign language poetry slam - BBC.
- Video Fri: Embedding Universal Design - Partnerships for Success - from #udlAHEAD conference 2017.
- If you are a student with a #disability considering Erasmus, check out MappED!, a new tool on access in EU colleges.
- Save the Date - Conference 2018 will be in Croke Park on Mar 20-21st. Let's bring the elephant into the room!
Wed 19th Jul 2017
- Appwatch: Dragon Dictation allows you to easily dictate emails, texts and more with your voice.
- Eleven beautiful drawings inspired by the university #MentalHealth crises – Guardian.
- As a #deaf student, I'm used to being excluded. Universities must do better - Guardian.
- 'Sometimes in pubs people think i'm drunk, but it's just my co-ordination' - life with #dyspraxia - BBC.
- Video Fri: Addressing the ‘Why’ of #UDL within the Teaching for Understanding Classroom - from #udlAHEAD conference.
- Check out MappED! -new website & app with college access details for students with a #disability considering Erasmus.
- 'My vision is like looking through a straw' - what it's like to be born #deaf and go gradually #blind - BBC.
- Beneath the surface - 3 people reveal the challenges of living with a hidden #disability - BBC.
- Martine Wright: They are penalising people who have really got a #disability - piece on effect of UK #austerity.
Wed 12th Jul 2017
- Appwatch: Cite This For Me (prev. RefMe) is an ingenious referencing app - scan book barcodes & get full reference!
- #Disability is the last frontier in inequality - and Leo should get that - opinion piece in the Independent.
- Five things that you must know in order to get a student grant - Independent.
- Interesting new 2 year #Autism Studies course staring September in several colleges across Ireland.
- Counting down to #LeavingCert results day - Spunout.
- Video Fri: #UDL & Reasonable Accommodations –the systemic changes required in Higher Education in Ireland.
- Alec Baldwin film criticised for casting actor in #blind role - Examiner.
- Amazon have just added Audio Description for the #blind to 100+ titles on their video service - more of this please!
- Extra 975 special needs assistants to be hired by September - Irish Times.
Wed 5th Jul 2017
- Appwatch: Microsoft Dictate is a speech to text add-on for microsoft office. Dicate emails, slides & Word docs!
- The European #AccessibilityAct is not something new and unreasonable - simply a means to implementing the #UNCRPD.
- Cost of going to college in Dublin? €12,495 a year with rent - Irish Times.
- Cool - Local doctor born with #disability gets custom 3D-printed exam gloves - weartv.com.
- Video Fri: Doing what we preach: examining the contradictions of #UDL discourse in faculties of ed - from #udlAHEAD.
- Nice simple overview of Universal Design for Learning from Understood.org - core concepts explained!
- Designing for #disability: the businesses breaking down barriers - Guardian.
- If you are an Xbox user with a #disability, handy to know that it has built in accessibility features!
- Great Ted Talk - How a #blind astronomer found a way to hear the stars.
Wed 28th Jun 2017
- Appwatch: To Do brings all Microsofts productivity nous into a simple, effective To Do app.
- Watch: Jamie Oliver talks about his experience of school with #Dyslexia and being labelled 'thick'
- From braille to Be My Eyes – there's a revolution happening in tech for the #blind.
- Listen: Why are so few people with a learning #disability at work & are interviews the best hiring method? -BBC Ouch
- UK followers - great #Dyslexia Directory here from the Codpast #Dyslexia podcast.
- Thousands to alter college choices before #CAO ‘deadline day’ - Irish Times.
- Did you know that the TV series version of Disney's Little Mermaid featured a #deaf mermaid who used #SignLanguage.
- This new #disability friendly water park in Texas looks the business! - Examiner.
- The #SignLanguage Interpreter Is the New Hero of Music Festival Season - Marie Claire.
- Have your voice heard by participating in this important NCBI international Braille survey!
- Exploring the connection between physical health and #MentalHealth - SpunOut.ie.
- New online directory of college courses available in Ireland has just launched - check out courses.ie.
Wed 21st Jun 2017
- Appwatch: do something smart with your summer by learning on a range of subjects through The Great Courses Plus app.
- Why #depression is never your fault - SpunOut.ie.
- Want to know more about Irish Sign Language & maybe learn some? Interesting facts here from Irish #Deaf Soc!
- US rapper Chance invites American Sign Language interpreters on tour - TV3.
- Letter from our Director to the Irish Times on lack of access to apprenticeships for students with a #disability.
- Minister McGrath seeking to make public transport more accessible - Examiner.
- Video Fri: Learning by doing - European examples of Universal Design for Learning - from #udlAHEAD conference.
- Why is a valuable alternative to the #LeavingCert being neglected? - Irish Times.
- The uncertainty of life after graduation - Spunout.
Wed 14th Jun 2017
- Appwatch: Fun one for #LeavingCert season - Musical.ly let's you star in your own Music Video.
- Things i'd want to see if I wasn't #blind - Tommy Edison.
- Exam diary: My dog helps me deal with the stress of it all - Irish Times.
- How we teach our children: Third level is not for everyone but there are a number of alternatives - Examiner.
- Video - #Deaf Singer Mandy Harvey Earns Simon's Golden Buzzer With Original Song on America's Got Talent 2017!
- Video Fri: How teacher trainers can coach students during internships with diversity in mind - from #udlAHEAD event.
- How to stay healthy during exams - SpunOut.ie.
- #LeavingCert: ‘The harder I study the more seizures I get’ -17,000 students will require exam support in weeks ahead.
- Researching students with a #disability in higher ed? Play with the interactive tables in our Data Centre!
- #Blind youtuber Tommy Edison shares his career path & talks more generally about working as a person who is #blind.
- Discrimination? 'Only 16% of people who are blind or vision impaired in Ireland are working' - Journal.ie.
Wed 7th Jun 2017
- Appwatch: Clips (iOS) is a video editing app - great feature which allows you to dictate captions and auto sync.
- Ahead of the exams, the Irish Times has wonderful diaries by #LeavingCert students - meet this year's crop!
- Independent Alliance TD Kevin Moran on why he went public about his #dyslexia - The Late Late Show.
- #Disability on Campus: 'I have decided to go public as the Dyslexic Professor' - Times Higher Education #Dyslexia
- The role of the disability coordinator within the UDL framework - from #udlAHEAD conference.
- #Disability on Campus: ‘Being #deaf creates certain preconceived notions, even to this day’ - Brenda Jo Brueggemann
- How accessible is #gaming when you're #blind or #VisionImpaired? Henshaws explore some options!
- Disability on Campus: ‘My brain has too many applications running simultaneously’ - Anna Nibs on #ASD in college.
- UK followers - get the lowdown on what the different party manifestos mean for people with a #disability here.
Wed 31st May 2017
- Appwatch: Exam Countdown lets you add assignments/exams & get a countdown for each so you can stay on top of them!
- Frederic Fovet: A reflective lens on learning - Canadian Guardian.
- #Disability on Campus: the challenges faced and change needed - Times Higher Education.
- Supreme Court rules student with #dyslexia was not discriminated against - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Engaging disabled students in strategic projects: 2 case studies from the Open University- from #udlAHEAD conference.
- Examiner piece about #deaf piano teacher Orla O'Sullivan.
- Students still have time to reconsider #CAO choices - Irish Times.
- Number of UK university dropouts due to #MentalHealth problems trebles - Guardian.
Wed 22nd May 2017
- Appwatch: Big Oven is a student classic - enter what's left in your fridge and it gives you recipe options!
- ADI are seeking to learn more about how people with a #disability engage with the arts through this short survey.
- Make sure to watch the doc on the incredible #deaf piano teacher Orla O'Sullivan airing on RTE 1 on Thursday!
- Some nice concise and clear checklists here from EDI on good practice when employing people with disabilities.
- Video Fri: Creating a 'ripple effect' to embed inclusive practices - Paddy Turner at #udlAHEAD conference.
- Interview with Andrew Lahart, Head of Accessibility, Enablement, and Competency at IBM - he talks #blind tech.
- Elearning creators - Articulate Storyline now supports closed captions for the #deaf. Free 'how to' webinar today.
Wed 17th May 2017
- Appwatch: Class Timetable (iOS and Android) allows you to easily digitise your timetable and stay on top of it!
- While there are no accreditations in Ireland for employing persons with disabilities, there are best practices - EDI
- Listen - "My #BrainInjury changed everything" - great interview with Dave Mercer on BBC Ouch.
- Accessibility allows for broader social media engagement – Media Access Australia.
- Video Fri: The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind - Dean Bragonier at TEDx.
- Half of us aren't happy to discuss #MentalHealth at work - BBC.
- ‘When the racket connected with that ball, I got butterflies in my tummy’ - Independent piece on Blind Tennis.
- You don't need to be an expert to talk about #MentalHealth - Spunout.
Wed 10th May 2017
- Appwatch: Google Dictionary chrome extension - just select a word, hit Google Dictionary & you get the definition!
- Not sure you made the right course choise? Tips on using the #CAO Change of Mind Facility - Blog.
- Looking for work with a learning #disability - Lack of support at work is a huge issue - Guardian.
- Things I wish people understood about my mental illness - SpunOut.ie.
- 16 women with disabilities who are killing the Instagram #fashion game - Revelist.
- Last year 58% of appealed applications for #disability allowance were accepted on review - Journal.ie.
- Watch: the beautiful moment when a 7 year old girl shows her mates her new pink prosthetic sports blade.
- Video Fri: Organising your thoughts with Inspiration Mind Mapping - DYSboxing.
- Student start-ups: why colleges are encouraging students to be entrepreneurs - Irish Times.
- What graduates need to know about the world of work - Irish Times.
Wed 03rd May 2017
- Appwatch: Readline free chrome extension supports reading websites - reveals text one word at a time.
- Donal Toolan's death should spark us to ratify the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities -Independent.
- Teenage years can be fraught for everyone, but imagine being #deaf and fast losing your sight too - BBC.
- Colleges face scrutiny over response to meeting skills gaps across industry - Irish Times.
- Meet Sue - the UK's first massage therapist to gain her qualification using her feet!
- Video Fri: Navigating deafness in a hearing world - Rachel Kolb at TEDxStanford.
- DCU aiming to create an autism friendly campus - Independent.
- 1 in 6 students drop out in first year of college - Irish Times. Shows the need for scaffolding and #UDL.
- Up to 85% of facebook video is watched without sound! Adding captions is accessible and market friendly.
- What is an 'Acquired Disability' and if your employee acquires a disability then how can you help them?
Wed 26th April 2017
- Appwatch: ATbar chrome extension offers font increase/decrease, colour contrasting & colour overlays on any webpage.
- Proactive approach needed to improve accessibility within the built environment - Workplace Insight Magazine.
- Tributes paid to 'fearless and brilliant' #disability rights campaigner Donal Toolan - Journal.ie.
- How close are we to the digital classroom of the future? - Daily Genius.
- Building the Future free careers fair for grads with a #disability -employers, #cv clinics, mock interviews & more.
- Dove using Molly, a young american #blind woman, to market their new shower foam - YouTube.
- Video Fri: Naomi, a gaming student with spinal quadriplegia, talks about the #AssistiveTech she uses in college.
- ASTI teachers to resist UK-style academy schools - Irish Times.
- Real Stories - You are so much more than your #MentalHealth difficulty - SpunOut.ie.
Wed 19th April 2017
- Appwatch: Visor is a free chome extension which helps users focus on reading text - colour dims rest of screen.
- Technology is key to reducing college education costs - Irish Times.
- Minister Bruton announces allocation of €2.4m funding to promote diversity in the teaching profession - HEA.
- TUI suggests corporate levy to bridge 3rd level funding gap - Examiner.
- Video Fri: Former Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies shares one of his #OCD compulsions - great insight.
- Fifty years on since ‘free education’, it’s time to reflect on who the system really serves - Irish Times.
- Beat procrastination: six ways to get your study back on track - Irish Times.
Wed 12th April 2017
- Appwatch: SpeakIt is a free chrome extension enabling text to speech functionality straight from your browser.
- Brother’s autism led to Minister for Health’s political career - Irish Times.
- Decision on third-level funding decision unlikely before summer end - Examiner.
- These Women Vloggers are Educating the World About their Disabilities on YouTube - Huffington Post.
- Varadkar announces employees with a disability can keep travel pass for 5 years & gentler medical card means test.
- Disability services transform students' lives, we must protect them - Guardian.
- John Servante: How my #MentalHealth meltdown led to love - BBC Ouch.
- Video Fri: Film student with #Dyslexia Hugo Hobs gives his top 3 hacks to get better grades - Ability Net.
- Interesting free conference - UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Ireland -May 10th.
- 'People with a #disability who take up some sort of employment will not lose their benefits' - Finian McGrath.
- Huge demand expected for reopened SUSI student grants - Irish Times.
Wed 5th Apr 2017
- Appwatch: Aipoly (iOS) tries to say what it sees - interesting app for #Blind users. In it's early stages.
- New analysis suggests 'USC-style levy' to fund third-level education - Independent.ie.
- Find a path to new learning or work opportunities with the Compass tool from Spunout - custom results just for you.
- SUSI is NOW OPEN for grant applications for the 2017-18 academic year for new and renewal students - apply early!
- "A Must for Anyone Seeking to Work in College #Disability Support Services" - AHEAD Start is now booking for Autumn.
- A new body representing Irelands IoT sector has been launched this week in Croke Park - THEA.
- Shannon Airport have created a Sensory Room for kids with #Autism + series of vids on what to expect when flying!
- VIDEO: Disability rights in Ireland hindered by '10 years of broken promises' - Irish Times.
- Brexit is a big opportunity for Irish universities, says education firm - Irish Times.
- Employers - Here's some tips from thinkbusiness.ie to promote good #MentalHealth & #WellBeing in your organisation!
- Visually impaired man wins case against State over voting rights - Irish Times.
- What are the must-have skills for today’s graduates? - Irish Times.
Wed 29th Mar 2017
- Appwatch: Learn to #TouchType for free with Typing.com. Online Tutorials, games and performance stats!
- Get AHEAD Blog: 25 Tips For Your Jobsearch - AHEAD.
- 'Some people think that every person with autism is like Rain Man, or a wizard at maths' - Journal.ie.
- Higher education 'can thrive in Ireland after UK exit' says new HEA Chief Dr. Graham Love - Independent.
- Disability Rights Protest on March 30th at Leinster House Calling on the Irish Government to Ratify.
- When Katie Novak visited Dublin for our #udlAHEAD event, she also spoke to Inside Education about #UDL & her message for HEIs.
- Europe's elected representatives vote UNANIMOUSLY to remove barriers to knowledge for ppl with print disabilities.
- Check out our recently launched #UDL Best Practice Guidelines for 3rd Level Education!
Wed 22nd Mar 2017
- Appwatch: Babylon puts translation into 75 different languages at your fingertips.
- Government eyes extra funding from business for universities - Irish Times.
- Really interesting #Aspergers radio documentary by Sinead Farrell on College Life with an Invisible Disability!
- Ratify the UN Convention for People with Disabilities NOW - Protest happening at Leinster House on March 30th!
- Meet the father 3D printing his son's arm - BBC News.
- Video Fri: Aberystwyth Uni asked staff/students how they'd react if someone told em they had a #MentalHealth issue.
- I live in constant fear that my intelligence will be judged because of writing mistakes due to Dyslexia - Blog.
- Study claims autism persists through natural selection because it makes humans smarter - Examiner.
Wed 15th Mar 2017
- Appwatch: Trouble getting up? Maths Alarm Clock makes you answer a math problem before you can turn it off.
- In case you missed it last week, why not catch up on RTE documentary #Deafening
- Video Fri: Animated Minds: Real testimony from people who've experienced #OCD - brilliantly animated.
- Are you unsure of what to wear to an interview? Check out the #GetAHEAD blog here which gives you some tips!
- On the back of last week's #AHEADeng debate, CAO reports low numbers of those applying for #engineering courses.
Wed 08th Mar 2017
- Appwatch: Oxford Dictionary of English is a user friendly dictionary app - great for quick word lookup in lectures.
- ‘Julia does things differently’: Sesame Street’s muppet with #autism - Irish Times.
- Dating When #Blind or Visually Impaired – Tips to Get You From Single and Ready to Mingle to Off the Market.
- Finian McGrath: #Disability waiting lists ‘unacceptable’ - Examiner.
- 10 Areas That Are Putting Recruiters Off Your #CV Infographic - e-Learning Infographics.
- Free event for parents of secondary school students on #MentalHealth and #CyberBullying - registration essential!
- How can colleges improve access for local & international students with disabilities? - ESN Survey Extension!
- It's time for the NUI to drop the third language requirement - Independent.ie.
- Fewer than 33% of working-age people with disabilities employed - Irish Times.
Wed 01st Mar 2017
- Appwatch: RealCalc Scientific Calculator for android is a user friendly calc app with lots of great memory functions.
- Making It Work: Three entrepreneurs with a #Disability share their wisdom & practical tips for building a business.
- Millions watch shows I make for BBC, but having #Dyslexia meant I nearly fell out of society - Abilitynet.
- The ex-trader turning disabilities into profits - BBC.
- Video Fri - I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much - Stella Young on the TED stage.
- Leaving Cert fails to equip young people for a post-truth world - Irish Times.
- 'Deafening' documentary, March 2nd on RTE, views the world through the eyes of 4 #Deaf people with different lives.
Wed 22nd Feb 2017
- Appwatch: Jumpcut for Mac allows you access to previously copied material on your clipboard. Super handy!
- Students with Disabilities: Erasmus Student Network want your views on how to make Erasmus exchange more accessible!
- Interested in submitting for next edition of the #AHEADjournal on inclusive education & employment? Get in touch!
- Music matters: Choosing the violin over walking - BBC News.
- Get AHEAD Blog - Turning My Disability into an Ability by Barry Walsh
- Video Fri: Environmental lawyer David Schoenbrod shares his #Dyslexia story & how he was called 'careless' in school
- New to Universal Design for Learning? Check out these great downloadable #UDL Tips from CAST.
- If you didn't see our report on numbers of students with disabilities in higher ed released last week, check it out!
- Things I wish people understood about my #MentalHealth difficulties - SpunOut.ie.
- Find your mock/Christmas exams stressful? Here's 10 ways to help you manage stress in the summer exams- Irish Times.
Wednesday 08th Feb 2017
- Appwatch: Easybib - academic referencing make easy with this user friendly cross platform app.
- RTÉ staff to undergo ' #inclusion and #diversity training' in order to 'fully reflect Irish society' - Irish Times.
- How Sinead Burke is making the fashion world wake up to #disability - Irish Examiner.
- ‘I don’t think I should have to go in to an interview and go ‘I’m albino’ - Sinead McManus on Tubridy.
- Video Fri: Want to know how a man without hands plays the guitar? With great style and joy, that's how!
- Living with albinism: 'I can't go into town without someone pointing or laughing at me' Sinead McManus in Journal.ie.
- #CAO applications on course to match last year’s record high - Irish Times.
- Universities need to be creative to survive, says new UCC president - Irish Times.
- It's #TimeToTalk day- let's all make an effort to really find out how people we know are really doing!
- Arts & Disability Irl have a great section on their site where you can get audio programme notes for plays!
Wednesday 01st Feb 2017
- Appwatch: Read & Write free extension for Chrome offers read aloud, word prediction, dictionary and more!
- Don't forget, if you want to apply for DARE, you have to complete basic parts of the #CAO application by tomorrow.
- What does the new #CAO Points system mean for students - SpunOut.ie.
- Career coach: 'Why over 70% of students drop out of first year in some courses' - Journal.ie.
- Video Fri: Signly app- providing virtual sign language interpretation in museums using augmented reality- BBC.
- Designing a wordpress based website? Heres some accessible themes to make it usable by all!
Wednesday 25th Jan 2017
- Appwatch: Desmos allows students plot mathematical functions on graphs and view alterations in real time.
- YouDescribe is a free service which enables you to add audio description to youtube clips!
- Excellent new website with mouse free IT guides for screen reader users - Sharons Shortcuts.
- Foreign students in Ireland face health insurance hikes - Irish Times.
- Nice research journal article about our recent study of the experience of students with #MentalHealth difficulties.
- Interesting free MOOC from Lancaster Uni starting Apr 24th on teaching a foreign language to students with #Dyslexia.
- Video Fri: Sue Austin talks about deep sea diving... in a wheelchair ...& how it changed her world view.
- If you are planning you #CAO application, check out our comprehensive guide for students with a #disability.
- Old piece from the Times on #Dyspraxia - "it is like having a filing cabinet with no files to put your stuff in.”
- Ireland’s Sinead Kane aims to become first #blind athlete to complete World Marathon Challenge - Examiner.
- #CAO countdown: Getting to grips with grants - Irish Times.
Wednesday 18th Jan 2017
- Appwatch: Socrative allows lecturers to engage their students with live multiple choice questions & instant results.
- #Deaf European Parliament presidential candidate Helga Stevens outlines her vision for Europe.
- Katie Cooke on Second Captains on her determination to run marathons despite having #epilepsy seizures while running.
- DARE advice clinics nationwide this week.
- Canadian man invents #Netflix -like service for #blind and partially sighted users.
- Video Fri: Looking past limits - Activist Caroline Casey tells the story of her extraordinary life.
- College is utterly different from school so get ready for it now - Irish Times.
- #CAO countdown: Study options abound home and abroad - Irish Times.
- Ever wonder how #deaf and #blind people experience the arts in Ireland? Here's how Arts & Disability Ireland help!
- Third-level courses should be radically overhauled, says Maynooth University president - Irish Times.
Wednesday 11th Jan 2017
- Appwatch: Pocket Anatomy (€9.99) is a must have app for students in the field of medicine/biology.
- ‘There is a tsunami of third-level students with #MentalHealth problems’ - Irish Times.
- 2016's Top #Edtech Trends - Edudemic.
- Video Fri: How Do A #Blind Person & A #Deaf Person Communicate?
- Dublin-based scientists find an area of the brain linked to #autism - Irish Times.
- Looking for work this January? We've got plenty of tips and advice to get you started.
- New website UniBrowse.ie lets you find and compare #CAO courses - incl. course summaries & previous points required.
Wednesday 04th Jan 2017
- Appwatch: Streaks helps you form good habits by giving you gentle reminders of six healthy routines you wish to make.
- Great article with Christina McCarthy, a #blind woman who'll be starting her WAM placement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car shortly!
- New website UniBrowse.ie lets you find and compare #CAO courses - incl. course summaries & previous points required.
- The NDA have released details of their 2017 #UniversalDesign challenge -have you got a product/environment/ICT idea?
- Universities wise up to the needs of staff with disabilities - Guardian.
Wednesday 14th Dec 2016
- Appwatch: Google Trips scans your email for hotel/flight reservations & provides city maps/things to see on holiday!
- Does a #disability necessarily make you 'worse off'? - Irish Times.
- 'People with disabilities are people - we deserve the same choices & respect' - Independent.
- What's the Future for #AssistiveTech? - the Codpast #Dyslexia Website.
- Video Fri: WAM's Top 5 Tips for Recruiting Graduates with Disabilities.
- How open is your office when it comes to talking about #anxiety and #depression? - BBC.
- Ireland is now the last country in Europe left to ratify UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Eight smart ways to use social media in universities - Guardian.
- The Power 100 lists Britain's top 100 most influential people with a #disability. Fascinating reading.
Wednesday 7th Dec 2016
- Appwatch: Breathe for Apple Watch, walks users through a short set of daily deep breathing exercises.
- 'I don't have the same civil rights as other Irish women. I have a disability' - Journal.
- League tables a reminder of inequality in Irish society - Irish Times.
- Millions Have #Dyslexia, Few Understand It - interesting radio segment from US station NPR.
- Video Fri: Did you know that 93% of people registered #Blind can actually see something?
- The linguistic challenges of learning a language with #Dyslexia -this & more in #AHEADjournal No.4.
- Funding crisis in higher education must be tackled says IBEC chief - Irish Times.
Wednesday 30th Nov 2016
- Appwatch: White Noise is a simple background noise app aimed at aiding sleep or concentration/study.
- 3 Irish students have highlighted a big issue for #deaf people with a sign language Christmas Carol - Her.ie
- 'I struggled to breathe - now I run marathons' - BBC News.
- What Teachers Should Know About #ADHD & #ASD - Edutopia.
- Thoughtless parking and designated driving: Life behind the wheel as a disabled driver - Journal.ie.
- 'I see tiny islands in a sea of black' -Helen Murphy tells her story of life with a #VisualImpairment -Independent.
- 'I found it really tough because I couldn't even type': What it's like to go back to education as a mature student!
Wednesday 23rd Nov 2016
- Appwatch: White Noise is a simple background noise app aimed at aiding sleep or concentration/study.
- The wonderful annual 12 apps of christmas project from DIT starts soon. Register if you are interested in #Edtech.
- Wonderful piece from Aoife Kirwan on her experience of college with #MS featuring upcoming #BetterOptions fair!
- "Always felt like something wasn’t quite right with me but I couldn’t put my finger on it." Zoe talks about her #MS.
- Video Fri: #Disability (Difability) Entrepreneurs as Creators of Future Wealth - Tom Cooney (TedX Drogheda).
- Enable Ireland and #Disability Federation Ireland Launch Discussion Paper on the Future of #AssistiveTech.
Wednesday 16th Nov 2016
- Appwatch: Drive to college easily with WAZE - beautiful sat nav app with traffic updates, weather warnings and more.
- Erasmus: The How To Guide - SpunOut.ie.
- #MentalHealth the biggest issue for #Disability Allowance recipients a new survey finds - Examiner.
- Exhibition celebrating work of artists with #autism encourages people to see the world differently - Standard.
- Video Fri: Dr. Esther Murphy outlines the key findings from our recently published #MentalHealthMatters research.
- Access for wheelchair users isn't just about putting in a ramp - journal.ie.
- #Dyspraxia In The Workplace: Hidden Challenges, Hidden Assets - Huffington Post.
- "A cross campus approach is needed" - Dr. Esther Murphy on the key findings of our recent #MentalHealth research.
Wednesday 09 Nov 2016
- Appwatch: Slack is a great messaging app which supports filesharing into group chats - great for group projects!
- Tips for jobseekers with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
- Stephen Hawking's Beautiful Message For Anyone With #Depression - How to get out of a black hole.
- Still confused about the #CAO points system introduced last year? Here's an explainer.
- Students - great tips on giving presentations from Spunout.ie!
- What is Speech to Text (dictation) Technology and how does it work?
- Video Fri: New Dyslexia Association of Ireland short film explores the Hidden Potential of people with #Dyslexia.
- Rosaleen McDonagh: A woman who broke the mould of our paralysing lack of ambition for disabled people - Irish Times.
Wednesday 02 Nov 2016
- Appwatch: Gyst integrates Texts, Contacts, Calendar, & Tasks all in 1 app so you dont get distracted switching apps!
- 76,000 student grants paid so far, Susi says - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Our WAM Programme's Top 5 Tips for Inclusive Recruitment Practice!
- Our #BetterOptions college fair for students with disabilities is only 4 weeks away!
- Microsoft claim they've developed tech that can transcribe speech as well as a human can - The Verge.
- I’m a person with disabilities. Why do I have to be a trailblazer too? - Guardian.
Wednesday 26th Oct 2016
- Appwatch: Groupon can help you eat out on a budget with great deals on local food and drink.
- Third level in distress: how colleges are coping with #MentalHealth - IrishTimes.
- Martin Naughton: A passionate campaigner for the rights of disabled people - Irish Times. Will be sorely missed.
- Exploring the Fascinating World of #Blind Photography.
- Video Fri: Shelly Baer talks about her own disability and explores it in the context of society's view of beauty.
Wednesday 19th Oct 2016
- Appwatch: The Photo Cookbook-Quick and Easy ($5) app can guide students to make quick and healthy meals step by step.
- Thousands expected to demonstrate against prospect of college loans - Examiner.
- "There's a lot of shame around it too, people go 'Ah, that's a fake condition'"-Living with adult #ADHD - Journal.ie.
- If you have #Dyslexia, the Guardian want to hear about your experience for an upcoming article - Get involved!
- No fees hike for Irish students applying to college in England next year despite #Brexit - Irish Times.
- #Deaf people marginalised, says Oireachtas report - Examiner.
- Life on the road with a #blind guitarist - BBC Ouch.
- Video Fri: #ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder: Stephen Tonti at TEDxCMU.
- #Budget2017: Extra funds for higher education after a decade of cuts but is it enough? - Irish Times.
- Nice round up of all of the #Disability related points of #Budget2017 from Epilepsy Ireland!
Wednesday 12th Oct 2016
- Appwatch: English Lit students - read or listen to comprehensive study guides of 1000s of classics with CliffNotes.
- Watch: Even the simplest of public services you have access to, a #Deaf person may not.
- Congrats to SpunOut for winning a prestigous web accessibility award for the hard work they've done on their site!
- It's #Dyspraxia awareness week and there are free events running across the nation. Check out your local event!
- 'My name is Claire. I have #MS. I'm no different to anyone else' - Journal.ie special ahead of #Budget2017.
- Video Fri: What I've learned from my autistic brothers - Faith Jegede.
- Call for repeal of ban on people with intellectual disabilities having sexual relationships - Journal.ie.
- Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities - Deadline for application is Dec 1st.
- Check out Spunouts top 5 tips for new college students with #Dyslexia.
Wednesday 5th Oct 2016
- Appwatch: Brainscape allows you to create digital flashcards, taking a tried and trusted study method digital.
- Check out DisAbility Access Map, our new interactive tool for students with a #disability on their path to college.
- What supports are there to help my dyslexic son access third level? - Irish Times.
- This week is #Dyslexia Awareness Week! Find out what's happening here from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland.
- Great tips for saving as a student from Spunout!
- Video Fri: AHEAD's Caroline McGrotty talks about how every #deaf person's experience is different & tells her story.
- Supports for #deaf children in spotlight at conference for educational equality - Examiner.
- Great website detailing the #MentalHealth services available in colleges nationwide.
- Here's how a #blind man from Donegal built a business in his spare room - Journal.ie.
Wednesday 28th Sept 2016
- Appwatch: Notetalker app and accompanying microphone kit is handy for recording and bookmarking lectures.
- A third of UK workers still believe disability is still a barrier to career progression.
- Dealing with the nerve wrecking first days of college - Spunout.
- Students to protest for publicly-funded third level education - Irish Times.
- Student Mia Colleran arrives in Nice to start her #StudyAbroad & gives her first impressions - Irish Times.
- Our International #UDL Conference 2017 is seeking contributors if you've got research/practice you'd like to share!
- Will the new #CAO points system affect me? - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: When we design for #disability, we all benefit - Elise Roy on the Ted Stage.
- Great radio piece with a woman who made the terrifying journey from Syria to Germany in her wheelchair.
- Petition to make #IrishSignLanguage our 3rd official language- it's the 1st language of thousands of Irish citizens.
- Tennis for #Blind and Vision Impaired (VI) players is now running in Shankill Tennis Club! Seeking more players.
Wednesday 21st Sept 2016
- Appwatch: Remember the Milk is a very simple to do/reminder app with a fun happy go lucky design.
- You have finally got your college degree – now what? - Irish Times.
- To mark the start of #IrishSignLanguage awareness week - ISL version of our Better Options College Fair promo video.
- The #Deaf Education Conference 2016 is coming up on Oct 1st in Portlaoise. Looks very interesting this year!
- Video Fri: What I Learned Coaching a #blind soccer team - Ted Talk.
- New to college and struggling with writing academic assignments? Don't fear, our flatpack guide is here!
- Students explore ‘alternative’ study paths at Higher Options - Irish Times.
- Get a list of all subtitled cinema showings in your area here.
Wednesday 14th Sept 2016
- Appwatch: Paper is a great visual note taking/gathering tool for quick notes on the go - photos and sketches too!
- Our Executive Director Ann Heelan on 'Graduate Employability: From Stigma to Diversity' this week at EAIE 2016.
- The shortage of disabled parking spaces prevents us from participating in society - Irish Times.
- Some fantastic scenes from the #Paralympics opening ceremony in this clip!
- Video Friday special for students starting college - How to make stress your friend.
- Excellent schedule of all of the Irish athletes even't in the #Paralympics here - the42.ie.
- How to have a conversation about your #MentalHealth - SpunOut.ie.
- What a moment at the #Paralympics ceremony when George Wyndham, currently homeless, led Sierra Leone out.
Wed 7th Sept 2016
- Appwatch: Tints enables colour overlaying and font simplification on your favourite electronic docs.
- USI Calls For €140m Investment Into Higher Education - 98FM.
- Is your kid going to college? Don’t be a helicopter parent - Irish Times.
- Neo Smartpen 2 -new rival to the LiveScribe arrives on the market. Smartpens are great tools for students.
- Office 365 Targets Inclusion With Major Accessibility Update - TechWeekEurope UK.
- Video Fri: Martin Seligman talks about the new era of positive psychology.
- There is still time to apply for a SUSI grant if you haven't yet done so! - Independent.
- Coping with being pipped in the #LeavingCert points race - Irish Times.
Wed 31st Aug 2016
- Appwatch: SprintPlus PDF (iOS) offers text to speech functionality on PDFs plus highlights lines being read.
- Driving from a wheelchair: new hi-tech vehicle is a boost for drivers with physical disabilities - Independent.
- 1 in 10 people of working age in Ireland have a #disability - more interesting facts like this from DFI here.
- #LeavingCert reform should focus on ‘real world’ skills - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Irishman Doug Leddin opens up about his depression and encourages others to do the same.
- College Choice: Students with disabilities should avail of support services - Irish Times.
- PLCs courses prepare students for further study or the workplace! - Independent.
- New college year: How student grant system SUSI works - Irish Times.
- Check out our brilliant guide to starting college as a student with a #disability - all you need to know!
Wednesday 10th August 2016
- Appwatch: CloudMagic collects email from all of your different accounts into one easy to manage inbox.
- Watch #DitchTheMonkey, Spunout's brilliant 5-part animation series promoting mental health.
- Dublin to gain nearly 1,900 new student housing places by September 2017 - Irish Times.
- The Secret Thoughts Professors Admit to Having About Accommodating Students with Disabilities - 3PlayMedia.
- New copyright bill gives those with print disabilities more access to books - step closer to Marrakesh ratification.
- Video - Tips from Spunout on how to manage #anxiety.
- European Commission publish new recommendations on the inclusion of students with disabilities in Erasmus+.
- #Deaf Awareness Training in the workplace grants now available from @IrishDeafSoc for employers!
- ICT students with disabilities - Great €8000 scholarship opportunity from Oracle and the European Disability Forum!
Wednesday 3rd August 2016
- Appwatch: Pocket lets you smart bookmark articles, videos and other online content so you can look at it later.
- Video Fri: Stanford University are experimenting with smart glasses to help kids with #ASD recognise emotions.
- SpunOut have some neat new accessibility features on their website - high contrast, large print and more!
- New #UDL toolkit for students from AHEAD and Universell Norway and SIHO Belgium.
- Dyslexic Designers challengn stigma of condition with London Exhbition.
Wednesday 27th July 2016
- Appwatch: Headspace teaches you mindfulness without being too hippy dippy -keep your college stress levels in check!
- Dublin Airport scoops major European accessibility award!
- CAO applications: higher education is not the be-all and end-all - Irish Times.
- Amazon's New Kindle Is Bringing Back This Key Feature for the #Blind - Fortune Magazine.
- Award-winning Irish film starring cast who have intellectual disabilities hopes to go global - Journal.
- Deafness is very misunderstood - one #deaf person's point of view in Spunout.
- Video Fri: UCD have a brilliant new videomap series to help students find their way around Belfield!
- Some tips towards making your website more accessible from AbilityNet.
- Euan's guide is like trip advisor for people with mobility impairments - rates quality and accessibility of venues!
- “I'm the only one who needs help. I’m not smart enough.”- this & other myths college students should stop believing!
Wednesday 20th July 2016
- Appwatch: Google Keep is an easy to use cloud based system for creating and storing audio, images, notes and lists.
- Students prepping for college - here's 5 fresh n' healthy items you can cook in a microwave in minutes from Spunout.
- Nine things you should never say to a wheelchair user - Guardian.
- What is Bipolar Disorder and how to seek help? - Nice clear and plain English piece from Spunout.
- Call to give #blind people their constitutional right to a secret vote - Irish Times.
- Absolutely love this new Channel 4 ad for their upcoming Paralympic coverage!
- Video Fri: Facebook taps artificial intelligence for users with disabilities - USA Today.
- Families could face new asset test for student grants - Irish Times.
- Rising rents push cost of college to €11,000 a year for some new study finds - Irish Times.
Wednesday 13th July 2016
- Appwatch: What new features for Windows 10 are great for student's with #Dyslexia - Dyslexia Action.
- College funding explainer - the 3 options proposed by the expert group - Irish Times.
- Have #ASD, a #HearingImpairment or #VisualImpairment? The EU Parliament want to hear your #AssistiveTech opinions.
- 'I was told I'd never write with a pen - and now I'm a teacher' : James Cawley - Journal.ie.
- Video Fri - The Myth of Average: Todd Rose on why we should design for everyone, not a mythical average student.
- Diversity makes us smarter and more innovative - Accenture’s Ellyn Shook at Inspirefest.
- Talking about #MentalHealth is hard but worth it - SpunOut.ie.
Wednesday 6th July 2016
- Appwatch: VoiceAloud will speak almost any text on Android devices and is user friendly.
- Really interesting piece about face blindness - the inability to recognise people by there facial features - BBC.
- Episode 50 of the NCBI #Blind #Tech podcast is now available.
- Audio diary of a man losing his sight turned into beautiful film about #blindness - BBC News.
- Video Fri: Steven Spielberg talks about his late diagnosis of #Dyslexia - "It explained a lot".
- "I cannot worry about any more this year" - more examples of why #LeavingCert exam supports system needs to change.
- 4 good n'simple tips from Enhance the UK on interviewing a #deaf candidate for a job - humorous too!
- Irish students in UK unlikely to face sudden hike in fees - Irish Times. #Brexit
Wednesday 30th Jun 2016
- Appwatch: Connected Mind is a free web based mind mapping tool, great for project planning.
- Video: Asten's #ADHD Survival Guide Tip 1 - BBC Social.
- Have you seen the latest edition of our practice journal for inclusive education and employment? #AHEADjournal
- Imagine being blindfolded and led across the Burren - Irish Times.
- President of the Union of Students in Ireland recalls his #LeavingCert experience in the Irish Times.
- Video Fri: The world needs Autistic minds - Temple Grandin on the Ted Stage.
- Video: Asten's #ADHD Survival Guide - BBC Social.
- Majority of respondents to a USI survey say education costs so high that they have thought of dropping out.
Wednesday 22nd Jun 2016
- Appwatch: Due is a very simple but effective reminder app which pesters you to get things done on time!
- Video: Living with #Dyspraxia - Dragon Fire Films.
- Tommy Hilfiger says his #dyslexia 'motivated' him to build his fashion business.
- Holiday tips for people with disabilities - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: #ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder - Stephen Tonti at TEDxCMU
- UK fashion student with a #VisualImpairment unveils amazing #Braille inspired collection - Examiner.
Wednesday 15th June 2016
- Appwatch: Drupe melds your contacts/chats from all different messenger apps into one easy user-friendly experience.
- 'He's going to struggle': More students denied #LeavingCert supports - Journal.ie piece featuring comment from AHEAD.
- New #Dyslexia research provides insight into brain function - Boston Globe.
- Bruton to provide extra help for children in disadvantaged schools - Irish Times.
- Irish exempt students with #Dyslexia have valid reasons for taking other languages - Irish Times.
- Digital Textbook Sales Surpassing Physical Sales in the US - Edudemic. Could have #Accessibility implications!
- Vid Fri: Check out our assignment writing guide, designed particularly with students with #Dyslexia in mind.
- If you're thinking about college, you may need a loan. Read Spunouts tips on how to apply and what you need to know.
- Is someone you know experiencing #anxiety? Here's how you can help! - Spunout.ie.
Wednesday 08th June 2016
- Appwatch: Mindset is a new #MentalHealth and wellbeing app - haven't tried it yet but great reviews so far!
- ' #Dyslexia and near paralysis inspired me to start my own business' - freshbusinessthinking.com.
- Vid Fri: Tina Lowe lost her sight aged 27. At Building the Future, she talked about AHEAD, WAM and jobseeking.
- Hooray! Twitter are now supporting adding of alt text to describe images for #blind users. Heres how to activate it.
- Interesting development in UK - Labour considering appointment of shadow minister for #Neurodiversity.
- If you are currently receiving or previously received supports in college, the HEA want to hear your experiences.
Wednesday 1st June 2016
- Appwatch: Coffitivity reproduces the ambient noise of a cafe to help you boost your creativity- backed by research.
- Nine tips to triumph in the exams - Irish Times.
- Irish Times' brilliant #LeavingCert diaries is back-Conor Griffin on the terrifying/liberating prospect of college!
- #Dyspraxia may be relatively unknown but it is a common, if often undetected, condition - Examiner.
- If you are currently receiving supports in college, @HEAaccess want to hear your experiences. (survey + €100 draw).
- LinkedIn for Students: Find and Be Found - Daily Genius.
- Video Fri: A look back at the brilliant student content from our Connected Voices in Learning #UDL exhibition.
- How useful is your degree in another country? - Irish Times.
- Looking for a graduate job? The Grad Ireland #summergradfair is on 8 June. #ISL interpreters available (see link).
Wednesday 25th May 2016
- Appwatch: Swiftkey (free) takes intellegent word prediction to the next level.
- Nine revision tips you need to succeed in the #LeavingCert - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Jasmine Rankin's story of #disability in employment -from Disability Rights UK's 'I Can Make It' series.
- “If you’re able to do something, get out and do something.” How one man is using fitness to fight MS - Joe.ie
- Amputee gamer shows off 'Iron Man arm' on UK chat show - BBC.
- Cash-strapped colleges are increasingly relying on fees from foreign students, but their are risks - Irish Times.
- Adam shares his experience of depression - Spunout.
Wednesday 18th May 2016
- Appwatch: Easybib is a web based citation and bibliography service - good web based alternative to RefMe.
- Some good tips here for those studying for exams including an interesting one - Limit Your Study Time!
- What did you say? Conor Pope goes #deaf for a day - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Carrie Boyle's story of #disability in employment -from Disability Rights UK's 'I Can Make It' series.
- For any #Deaf followers thinking of going to Grad Ireland summer fair, there will be an ISL Interpreter available!
- If you're studying for your #LeavingCert, take a quick break and get some motivation - all this fun is ahead of you!
Wednesday 11th of May 2016
- Appwatch: Forest helps you stay focused when studying. Get a new tree for every 30 mins of distraction free study!
- Third case in recent weeks of a student taking the SEC to the high court over #LeavingCert accommodations denied.
- SpunOut are seeking young people to take this short survey on their employment needs - help them out!
- Video Fri: Beyond Inclusion - really interesting topics explored here about the future of attitudes to #disability.
- So what's bowling got to do with inclusive education? Brilliant #UDL metaphor from Shelly Moore. #disability.
- Brilliant - new EU directive brokered this week means all public sector websites and apps must be accessible!
- #Dyslexia Association's Rosie Bissett: SEC decision process is failing dyslexic students - Irish Times.
- Issue 3 of our free Journal on inclusive education and employment practice is out now!
Wednesday 4th of May 2016
- Appwatch: My Stickies web service allows you to leave virtual post its on any webpage for later - great for study!
- Is enough being done to help support those with #dyslexia in the workplace? - The Texthelp blog.
- Computer science graduates in demand, but arts graduates earn the least says new HEA report - Irish Times.
- Protest over mental health spending - RTE.
- Video Fri: The nerve bypass - Fascinating new technology allows man move his paralysed hand.
- Big news from High Court- Leaving Cert student with #dyslexia wins order overturning SECs refusal to give a 'reader'
- Only 10 deputies attended the Dail for a debate on #MentalHeath - Government, you've let us down again - Her.ie
Wednesday 27th of April 2016
- Appwatch: Trello - great project planning app to ensure tasks are completed on time. Especially good for group work.
- Missed this last week - ‘My autism diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to me’ - Irish Times.
- 20% jump in the number of applications for DARE - Independent.
- Rising number of students exempt from studying Irish - including those exempt because of a learning difficulty.
- A new online test could help to identify #ADHD indicators early - Guardian.
- Listen: Sue MacGregor reunites five disability campaigners who leads the UK's fight for #disability rights - BBC.
- Google's philanthropy division pledges $20 million to support #disability technologies - Engadget.com.
- Video Fri: Dyspraxic man has created this 'What is Dyspraxia?' animation to create awareness.
- Dubliner Doug Leddin opens up about his depression. Brave and important words.
Wednesday 20th of April 2016
- Appwatch: Doggcatcher (Android) is a great app for subscribing & listening to podcasts - great for #study material!
- Nice list from Spunout of the do's and dont's when talking to a friend with a #MentalHealth difficulty.
- "Like being in a train station in downtown Beijing" - what it's like to live life with #autism - Journal.
- Texthelp hosting half-day seminar on digital accessibility and engagement in Dublin.
- Don Cheadle, who plays Miles Davis in a new film, says the star likely had bipolar disorder.
- Video Fri: #Blind youtuber Tommy Edison on 'What Do Blind People Find Attractive?'
- Anton Savage interviews Ann M Martin about her new book written from the perspective of a girl with #Autism.
- #Blind Berkeley scientist designs tools for the visually impaired.
- 'Let’s start by saying I have #CerebralPalsy' - Fiscal policies should not determine whether dreams are realised.
Wednesday 13th of April 2016
- Appwatch: Peak is a brain training game app which identifys your weak areas (e.g. memory) and works to improve them.
- Kerry Pace leads the Dyspraxia Ireland Summit this Saturday in Leixlip. Tickets €75 or €35 with concessions.
- We've released the data centre for students w/ disabilities in Higher Education 2014-15. Lots of interactive tables!
- Did you know that SUSI has already opened the Student Grant applications for 2016/17? Why not apply early!
- Video: When Super Mario gets injured & requires a wheelchair, Luigi steps in to Universally Design Mario World!
- Video Fri: Changing the Face of #Autism : Autism in females.
- Struggling to cope with work? Tips on looking after yourself (and others) for Workplace Wellbeing Day!
Wednesday 6th of April 2016
- Appwatch: 1Password remembers all your passwords so you don't have to. Secure password storage under 1 master pass.
- Identity 2016: Facebook lets #blind people 'see' its photos - BBC News.
- #Epilepsy and the #LeavingCert: ‘If it strikes, that exam is over for me’ - Irish Times.
- People with #Dyslexia - vote for the most readable font here.
- Should Higher Education Be Bundled, Or Unbundled? | The Edvocate.
- Can neurofeedback help treat #ADHD? New drug free treatment helps train the brain to be more effective - Irish Times.
- Molly on preparing for the #LeavingCert with #Dyspraxia.
Wednesday 30th March 2016
- Appwatch: GoConqr allows you to create online Mind Maps, Flashcards, Online Notes and Quizzes - good study aids!
- Let’s make accessibility checking as common as spell checking - It's just as easy! - AbilityNet.
- Did you know one of the 7 leaders of the #1916Rising had a #disability? Read about Seán Mac Diarmada here.
- Sites that run on Wordpress are becoming more accessible for users with disabilities.
- With no new Minister for Education elected yet, what are the key issues they will face?
WEDNESDAY 23RD MARCH 2016
- WATCH & LISTEN: Connected Voices in Learning poem from UDL AHEAD Conference 2016
- Get the UDL AHEAD Conference materials
- UDL event happening in St. John's College Cambridge - The Power of Design: Exclusion or Inclusion?
- WATCH: The Proclamation translated into Irish Sign Language
- €1m state funding may be withheld from three 3rd level colleges - Irish Times
- What are Technological Universities and are they a good idea? - Irish Times
- Five time bombs facing a new Minister for Education - Irish Times
Wed Mar 16th 2016
- Appwatch: Dragon Dictate (free for iOS) is a free and reasonably accurate speech to text dictation app.
- This Clothing Line Is Specially Created for Wheelchair Users.
- Video Fri: Special Olympics let me be myself -- a champion.
- Toyota develops wearable device for #blind people - BBC News.
- Five ways to help a dyslexic person in the workplace - BBC News.
- Students in Limerick post inspirational video on how they overcame depression and anxiety - Independent.
Wed Mar 9th 2016
- Appwatch: Splittable enables you to easily split bills with your housemates in a fair way that everyone can track.
- Matching your skills with those in demand in today’s labour market - Irish Times.
- Listen: Episode 22 of the Codpast asks is it better to focus on growing confidence than spelling ability?
- Rising student numbers and limited places mean #CAO points increases are likely - Brian Mooney, Irish Times.
- No country for young teachers: the two-tier pay problem - Irish Times.
- Hannah Rebecca blogs about the tricky issues around disclosing your #disability in employment in her latest post.
- Get info on the IASE's National Job Shadow day for people with disabilities here - 24th – 30th April 2016.
Wed Mar 2nd 2016
- Appwatch: Last shout out for our top ten apps for students!
- Nice blog post from a woman with #Dyspraxia on neuro diversity and time management.
- Opinion: Universities should train people for life, not just match them to jobs - Dr Stephen O’Brien, UCC.
- Where now for junior cycle reform? - Irish Times.
- Irish woman Lisa Carroll joined a like-minded group of #deaf swimmers that crossed the English Channel - Independent.
- Video Fri: What would the world look like if most people were wheelchair users - great (if a little outdated) vid!
- Never give a bad presentation again - Great advice for students from Spunout!
- Looking for a job when you’re disabled can be difficult, but it shouldn’t be impossible - Journal.ie.
Wednesday 17th Feb 2016
- Appwatch: Flipboard enables you to curate your own topic specific web magazines and to follow other curators.
- Alarming drop-out rates at third-level institutions - Examiner.
- The 'My Perfectly Imperfect Family' blog -Great insights into the joys/complexities of life with a #disability.
- The #blind boy who learned to see with sound - BBC News.
- 5 rules for choosing the best EdTech for you - Daily Genius.
- Video Fri: #ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder: Stephen Tonti at TEDX.
- Opinion: A love of Snapchat and Twitter does not make children digital natives - Irish Times.
- Meet the voters: ‘I’d like a gold standard for accessibility’ says Vivian Rath - Irish Times.
WEDNESDAY 10th FEB 2016
- Appwatch: IF & DO (free) will make other apps work harder for you by automating certain simple tasks to save time!
- Dyslexic employee wins discrimination case against Starbucks - Guardian.
- Spelling uses multiple parts of the brain, research shows - Guardian.
- Third-level system in danger of being ‘stressed to the point of breaking’ says outgoing HEA chairman - Irish Times.
- Irish Deaf Society's proposals for new government make interesting reading - #1 support the Irish Sign Language Bill.
- Eight technologies that are changing education - Irish Times.
- With the General Election coming, Spunout take a look at accommodations on polling day for voters with disabilities.
- Classes at institutes of technology stop as lecturers strike - Irish Times.
WEDNESDAY 03RD FEB 2016
- Appwatch: Desmos is a graphing calculator - plot functions, create tables, add sliders, and animate your graphs.
- The tech giving people power to deal with #disability - BBC.
- Tips from Spunout on starting conversations with friends who you feel may be struggling with their #MentalHealth.
- Patrick Prendergast: One university size does not fit all - Interesting Opinion piece from the Provost of Trinity.
- Brilliant - Lego unveil their first wheelchair user mini-figure.
- Video Fri: What does the best college experience for students with disabilities look like? Vids from conference 14'!
Wednesday 27th Jan 2016
- Appwatch: Photo Math (free) - photograph a math problem and get an instant answer and info on steps taken to get it.
- The plan to haul apprenticeships into the 21st century - Irish Times.
- For those filling out #CAO forms, find out what your college #Disability Service can do for you when you get there!
- Ask Brian: My daughter is unhappy with her course – should she drop out? - Irish Times.
- Video Fri - "I had no choice. None of us did. When we’re judging each other we should think of that.” Sinead Burke.
- Jan O’Sullivan pledges to cut third-level fees by €500 - Irish Times.
- HSE fails to meet legal requirement on disabled staff - Irish Times.
- New DCU project aims to create an autism friendly university - Independent.
Wednesday 20th Jan 2016
- Appwatch: Office Lens turns your smartphone into a pocket scanner. Auto crops and straightens whiteboard pics too!
- Great tips from AHEAD on looking for work as a student/graduate with a #disability.
- Not getting a #CAO place *does not* mean you are a failure - plenty of good alternatives! - Irish Times.
- Beth Whitby tells her story of pregnancy and motherhood as a woman with spinal muscular atrophy - BBC.
- CAO Watch: Grant supports can cushion college costs - Irish Times.
- Exploring engineering and #STEM careers for students with disabilities.
- What is DARE and how do you apply? - Irish Times article featuring info from AHEAD.
- Video Fri: Russell Howard speaks to Jess Thom, founder of Tourettes Hero - warning, bad language & plenty of laughs.
- CAO Watch: College abroad is an option worth studying - Irish Times.
Wednesday 13th Jan 2016
- Appwatch: StudyBlue (free basic version) allows you to create and customise your own study flashcards.
- A teaching revolution - Donegal school ranks one of the top in Ireland after ditching focus on ‘chalk and talk.
- Watch the wonderful Sinead Burke, aka Minnie Melange on the Late Late Show talking about life and #education.
- Revealed: non-progression rates for higher education courses - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: How does this woman's bionic eye work? - BBC.
- Great piece on job searching by Leslee O'Loughlin, Group HR Manager of WAM Employer Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
- Bookshare is an accessible e-book service for those with print disabilities.
- Latest National Council for the #Blind Technology podcast takes a look at the new Apple TV and Sonos wireless hifi.
- 'How I lost my confidence when I lost my face' - Tammy tells her story: BBC Ouch Disability Blog.
Wednesday 6th Jan 2016
- Appwatch: RefMe is an ingenious referencing app - scan the book's barcode - get citation in 5,000 different styles.
- How technology is empowering dyslexic students - UK Independent.
- Opinion: Government’s attitude to disability rights is ‘no rush,we’ll get there in the end’- Journal.ie.
- Loads of interesting events happening in the First Fortnight festival around #MentalHealth over the next 2 weeks.
- Analysis: Funding cuts putting third-level sector under pressure - Irish Times.
Wednesday 16th Dec 2015
- Appwatch: Todoist is a cross platform task manager app with lots of great integrations including Outlook.
- Really good practical tips in this infographic on studying smarter - not harder! Good luck to all doing exams soon!
- The Dare application guide video for 2016 is now available. If you need any advice on it, call us on +353 1 592 1467
- Graduates would pay €25 a week in 15-year student loan scheme - Irish Times.
- Unskilled line managers identified by over half of all employers as main barrier to retention of disabled employees.
- Video Fri: Blind Psychiatrist Dr. Tim Cordes on his experience of navigating medical school at AHEAD Conference 2015.
- Listen: A lovely conversation between Dyslexic aunt & niece Leanne and Eloise - " #Dyslexia is a Superpower" - BBC.
- Amazing - Jessica Ruiz, a makeup artist with a physical disability, uses her mouth to work the tools of the trade.
- Great blog by Neil Milliken with his thoughts on specially designed #Dyslexia fonts & why 1 font doesn't fit all.
Wednesday 09th Dec 2015
- Appwatch: Cloud Magic - Get all your email accounts in one slick and beautiful app with oodles of integrations.
- Video: How AHEAD helps students and graduates with disabilities succeed.
- Third-level fees debate: the case for and against - Irish Times.
- My disability is just a small part of who I am. Work/relationships are basic human rights-Julie O’Leary-Evening Echo.
- Study: Staying on top of your exam workload this Christmas.
- 73% of teachers say that tech enables them to respond better to different types of learners- more stats here.
- Video Fri: Employers-what not to do when working with people with disabilities...good fun this!
- Ex AHEAD board member Vivian Rath on lack of Accessibility to core state services in Ireland.
Wednesday 02nd Dec 2015
- Appwatch: Todoist is a cross platform task manager app with lots of great integrations including Outlook.
- More simple tips from DIT's Damian Gordon that academics can use to make their teaching more universally designed.
- Proposed Student loan scheme - how it might work - Irish Times.
- Think social media isn't important for jobsearching? 79% of employers have hired from LinkedIn, 26% through Facebook.
- 7 free Dec webinars that will boost your edtech skills as a teacher - aimed at 2nd level but same principles apply.
- The brilliant @12appsDIT starts this week - last chance to register free for an app a day in your inbox!
- 10 Advantages of Online Education - Careers and Education News.
Wednesday 25th Nov 2015
- Appwatch: Slack (free) is a brilliant communication app - group messaging & file sharing. Fantastic for group work.
- Mainstream schools need vision for their #blind pupils - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: 1st #Deafblind Law Graduate from Harvard does a #TedTalk.
- Supports will now be provided to #specialneeds children for their pre-school year - Irish Times.
- NCSE calls for more special needs classes in post-primary education - Irish Times.
Wednesday 18th Nov 2015
- Politics to be introduced as Leaving Cert subject next year - Irish Times.
- Irish Times article with great insight into life with Dyspraxia.
- NCSE conference will take place in Croke Park on Nov 25th - about teacher education for inclusion & assistive tech.
- Ann Heelan facilitating a workshop at the NDA Universal Design in Education conference
- Do blind students leave mainstream schools with all the skills they need? - Irish Times
- Apple CEO Tim Cook says diversity leads to better products - Silicon Republic.
- Video: What is life like living with ADHD? - BBC News.
- Video Fri: Great little visual video showing how technology has changed the world from the wheel up.
Wednesday 11th Nov 2015
- Appwatch: Trello (iOS/Android) is a brilliant 'to do' & organisational app which will help you meet your deadlines.
- ‘The Student Hub’ to offer students a full Irish Times digital subscription at no cost - Irish Times.
- Many students feel they are not learning job skills, survey says - Irish Times.
- Universities have lowest level of students receiving grants - Irish times.
- The brilliant 12 apps of Christmas initiative from DIT is happening again this year.
- Productivity Habits of Highly Organised Digital Students - Daily Genius.
- Adele like you've never seen it sung before... in American Sign Language!
- Video Fri: Celebrating 20 years of the UK Disability Discrimination Act - Great stories from people with disabilities.
- Watch Ep. 2 of Kitchen Impossible, brilliant new C4 show where Michel Roux Jnr. trains young chefs with disabilities.
Wednesday 4th Nov 2015
- Education Across the Continuum: Innovating through Universal Design - upcoming NDA conference, Nov 12th & 13th.
- Appwatch: Claro range of apps (paid, iOS) include literacy aids like text-to-speech, magnification & scanning.
- Last shout out for our recently released research on the transition of #blind students to college. Very Interesting.
- Interesting opinion piece on the gap between evidence based thinking on teaching & learning and practice in schools.
- Reform of DARE #CAO process is great news. Removal of age limit on Psychological Reports coming in 2017 -Independent.
- Video Fri: Episode 1 of Kitchen Impossible - Michel Roux Jnr. begins training chefs with a variety of disabilities.
- 'Study now, pay later' considered to tackle crisis in third-level funding - Independent.
Wednesday 28th Oct 2015
- Appwatch: Keep your body & mind healthy at college with Runkeeper (free for iOS/Android) fitness app.
- Free lecture by See Change exploring how Hollywood has portrayed Mental Health on screen in Dublin.
- Deaf Talent, Seen & Heard - Interesting article on #Deaf theatre in USA.
- Listen: Nikki Kinzer's series of podcasts on succeeding in college with ADHD.
- Dublin’s not an easy place to be a gig-goer with a #disability - Irish Times.
- The future is bright for dyslexic students at university - The Guardian.
- Congrats to St. Mary's Deaf Choir (performed at our conference this year!) on their European Language Label Award.
- Uber is adding options to its app to help disabled customers - Examiner.
Wednesday 21st Oct 2015
- Appwatch: Cloudcal (free, android) shows your schedule in circles broken with colour - good for more visual people.
- iScoil: A virtual school for a new class of student - Irish Times.
- Check out our recent report into the Transition of #Blind Students to College. It makes for fascinating reading.
- Holding an event for people with autism? Here's what you need to know - Guardian.
- Facebook developing tool to help #blind people 'see' images on posts - the Mirror.
- Stumbled across this great Facebook group called Dyslexia Help & Support - join up if you have #Dyslexia questions.
- €3m aid for less well-off students on way - Independent.
- DJ Eye Tech: "I DJ with my eyes after getting ‘locked-in’ syndrome" - Disabled Go Magazine.
- "All I want to do is get a job" says Lorraine, 27-year-old Galway native, who has been #blind since birth - Examiner.
Wednesday 14th Oct 2015
- Appwatch: CamScanner (free basic version) acts as a scanner in your pocket. Send scanned docs to email/evernote etc.
- Why Don’t Tech Companies Care More About Customers With Disabilities? - Slate Magazine.
- If you had seven minutes to revolutionise teaching...Teachmeet allows teachers to share ideas with peers.
- How little education issues have changed in Ireland in 40 years - Irish Times.
- The Government wants to put wifi networks into classrooms - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Irish Students with Disabilities & SLDs give views on 3rd level teaching & learning.
- Listen: AHEAD Director Ann Heelan talking on 103fm about new research into transition of #blind students to college-12 min in.
- College awareness week to target areas of low participation - Irish Times.
Wednesday 7th Oct 2015
- Appwatch: AudioNote allows you to record audio and sync with typed notes - great for lectures and meetings.
- Suicide and schools: it’s okay to talk about it - Irish Times.
- Number of public sector jobs for people with disabilities to double - Irish Times.
- Nine Irish colleges in world’s top 5% - Examiner.
- Viewpoint: Is it time to stop using the word "disability"? - BBC News.
- ‘David is 22, he has a college degree and is a wheelchair user. All he wants is a job’ - Journal.
- The Question I’m Always Asked About My Son’s Dyslexia - A Parent's Tale.
- Jobs strategy for people with disabilities has ‘significant shortfalls’ - Irish Times.
- ADHD support at third level: ‘It’s better to get help, even if you feel babied’ - Irish Times.
Wednesday 30th Sept 2015
- Appwatch: PlanbookEdu is a cloud based lesson planning app for educators. Free 'basic' account.
- Whistleblower claims learning support hours redeployed to management duties - Irish Times.
- Great read from excellent Dyslexia & Me blog on Imposter Syndrome- essentially not giving yourself deserved credit.
- What Freshers' Week is like when you're #deaf - one student's account in the The Tab York Magazine.
- 25 Best Education Apps for the iPad - Daily Genius.
- Video Fri: Animated Minds- Real testimony from people who've experienced Aspergers Syndrome - brilliantly animated.
- Industry must ramp up role in ‘funding’ of higher education - Irish Times.
Wednesday 23rd Sept 2015
- Appwatch: Letterspace is a new note-taking app which allows you to use searchable hashtags to organise your notes.
- Know how easy it is to add optional captions for the #Deaf on youtube? Make videos accessible with min effort!
- "A beautiful language with such depth" - AHEADs Stephen Lehane on #Deaf culture & learning Irish sign language.
- Undaunted: "Having a #disability and fighting for every little thing takes its toll" - the Steve Daunt Blog.
- Interesting blog post with advice for students with Autism at third level and those managing their education.
- How to use built in speech-to-text in Google Docs - surprisingly good results with this tool.
- Video Fri: Animated Minds: Real testimony from people who've experienced OCD - brilliantly animated.
- Reverse cuts to disability teaching hours, demands union - Independent.
Wednesday 16th Sept 2015
- Appwatch: Companion - virtually walk your friends home. Great for ensuring Dyspraxic friends go the right way!
- ‘Fairer’ special needs resource allocation for trial in 47 schools - Irish Times.
- Students - if you don't have access to paid mind mapping tools, use Xmind (free) to plan your projects.
- UDL: A Systematic Approach to Supporting Diverse Learners - Faculty Focus Magazine.
- "Where there's life, there's hope." - Caleb Lane on growing up with Muscular Dystrophy.
- Video Fri: Animated Minds: Real testimony from people who've experienced debilitating anxiety - brilliantly animated.
- Check out Spunout's brilliant 'Ditch the Monkey' animated series on looking after your Mental Health.
Wednesday 09th Sept 2015
- Appwatch: Nova Launcher is a prime example of how Android OS can be made to suit individual tastes better than iOS.
- Affluent areas get more special needs teaching hours - Irish Times.
- Special-needs education shouldn’t be a lottery- great piece feat. needs (over diagnosis) based pilot assessment model - Irish Times.
- The Entrepreneurial Spirit #Dyslexia Can Bring - Noodle.
- Check out MyUniplan's great collection of resources for students with disabilities transitioning to college.
- CAO points changes aim to reduce pressure on students - Irish Times.
- Video Fri: Animated Minds - Real testimony from people who've experienced Manic Depression - brilliantly animated.
- Interesting piece on Screen Readers & Touchscreen Devices & how product designers could improve experience.
- While attitudes are slowly changing, deafness remains a much-misunderstood disability - Henpicked.
- “The disability market is changing, with a new customer demand for stylish products” - CEO of the Blue Badge Company.
Wednesday 02nd Sept 2015
- Appwatch: VoxDox (free for Android/iOS) allows you to convert webpages/documents to speech and share with friends.
- 5 ways teachers can foster creative thinking with technology - Daily Genius.
- There is an increase in companies recruiting for a Head of #Diversity in a bid to have a diverse workforce.
- Introducing Gallaudet University, USA, where all academic programs are designed for deaf & hard-of-hearing students.
- NDA is seeking people in leadership roles in Irish companies to take this survey on employing people w/ disabilities.
- Joanne O'Riordan of NoLimbsNoLimits wins Outstanding Young Person of the Year.
- Canadian college students create audible puck for visually impaired players.
Wednesday 26th August 2015
- Appwatch: Focus Lock (free for Android) helps you focus on study by blocking selected apps for study periods.
- Introducing Dot, the world's first braille smart watch. Great idea!
- Wondering if your assistive tech software will work with the new windows 10 and OSX operating systems? Find out here.
- Universal Design for Learning Explained with Lego in neat little stop motion video!
- Video Fri: Tony Glynn share's his experience of Mental Health difficulties at college and what staff can do to help.
- Give the Codpast a listen - speaking to prominent people with #Dyslexia every month. This month it's Charlie Boorman.
- Irish Time Article: If you have a disability, don't hesitate to tell your college
- Ted Talk: A girl with Aspergers develops an app to help people with Autism improve their presentation skills
Wednesday 19th August 2015
- Appwatch: Mailbox (free for iOS) allows to manage a busy inbox by postponing & prioritising mail as you wish.
- NDA is seeking people in leadership roles in Irish companies to take this survey on employing people with disabilities.
- Students who achieve big CAO scores don't do better in college than those who get in by 'back-door' routes- new study.
- Video Fri: Students at Heriot Watt Uni made this short film about the Mental Health challenges of studying abroad.
- DICE are hosting a seminar on Digiplace4all-online peer support for people with disabilities developing digital skills.
- Great article in Forbes about the business case for hiring employees with disabilities & making products accessible.
- Breaking Down Barriers to Employment for Individuals with Disabilities - official blog of US Dept. of Education.
- Is our education system broken? Interesting debate piece where Dr. R Lynch says it's the Leaving Cert that's broken.
- Depression and the Leaving: you can come through it and get back up fighting - Irish Times.
Wednesday August 12th 2015
- Appwatch: Wordflex Touch Dictionary (€10.99 for iPad)- a visual dictionary with mind map style connections.
- Download the new G3ict report on how the 'Internet of Things' opens up a world of possibilities for Assistive Tech.
- Dr. Temple Grandin, Donna Williams & more talk #Autism on latest episode of Health Zone Radio.
- BBC looking at options for users to customise font sizes, colours and backgrounds for online programming.
- Video: Aberystwyth Uni asked staff & students how they'd react if someone told them they had a #MentalHealth problem.
- Irish assistance dog owners tell their story: "The change in my life has been unbelievable" - Independent.
- How tech-driven learning can benefit students with disabilities - Education Drive Magazine.
- People with disabilities need jobs, not condescension and handouts - Examiner.
Wednesday August 05th 2015
- Appwatch: Due (free for iOS) is a very simple but effective reminder app to pester you to get things done.
- SUSI Student Grant applications continue to rise this year - Independent.
- The Teacher’s Guide To Open Educational Resources - Edudemic.
- Video Fri: Being a Student is Mental - examining the issue of Mental Health in relation to progression to Higher Ed.
- Apprenticeships overhaul offers ‘viable alternative’ to 3rd level - Irish Times.
- 8 year old American boy receives world's first double hand transplant - amazing!
- Creating iBooks in the Classroom - Daily Genius.
