9.15

Registration and Welcome Refreshments

10:00

Opening Remarks

Who: Deirdre Moore (Employment Manager, AHEAD), Dr Aideen Hartney (Director, National Disability Authority), Dearbháil Nic Giolla Mhicíl (Principal Officer, Department of Social Protection)

What: A warm welcome and official opening of the event.

10.30

WAM Through the Years

Who: Philip Carroll (Senior WAM Project Officer, AHEAD), Tina Lowe, Dr Mary Quirke, Caroline McGrotty, Deirdre Moore (Employment Manager, AHEAD).

What: Gain insight into the WAM programme as AHEAD staff, past and present reflect on its establishment, evolution and current delivery.  

11:00

Break

11.30

Panel Discussion: Inclusive Employment – Past and Present: Reflecting on 20 Years of the WAM Programme

Who:  Christina McCarthy (Former WAM Graduate) , Ali McNabb (Former WAM Graduate), Tom McMahon (ESB), Natalie Keogh (Allianz), Aoife Lyons (publicjobs), Moderated by: Deirdre Moore (Employment Manager, AHEAD)

What: The panel, featuring WAM graduates and employers, will share lived experiences and insights as they explore graduate challenges in accessing the labour market, discuss inclusive workplace practices, reflect on WAM’s impact, highlight ongoing barriers for disabled people and employers, and celebrate examples of inclusive employment done well.

12:20

Launch of the Widening Inclusion of Disability in Employment (WIDE) Framework

Who: Anna Boda (Programme Manager, Employers For Change), Catherine Murray (Research and Administrative Assistant, AHEAD), Dara Ryder (CEO, AHEAD).

What: Employers for Change and AHEAD will introduce the WIDE partnership and launch the WIDE web platform which supports employers to hire, retain and promote disabled talent and create inclusive workplaces.

13:00

Lunch

Lunch is catered by AHEAD with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options and and all meals are halal. Please liaise with catering staff for other requests made.

13.55

Panel Discussion: Shifting the Dial on Inclusive Workplaces: How can we close the disability employment gap into the future?

Who: Jeanne McDonagh (CEO, Open Doors Initiative), Robert Murtagh (Senior Policy & Public Affairs Advisor, National Disability Authority), Fiona Weldon (Capacity Development Officer, Independent Living Movement Ireland), Megan O'Sullivan-Sweeney (Policy Executive, IBEC) - Moderated by: Dara Ryder (CEO, AHEAD).

What: The panel, featuring civil society organisations, business representative groups and state agencies, will discuss their perspectives on closing the disability employment gap, give practical insights employers can use to play their part, and share their hopes for the decade ahead.

14.40

Movement break

14.50

WAM Leader Awards Ceremony

What: Presentation of WAM Leader Awards to employers in recognition of their contribution to facilitating WAM placements and promoting the employment of graduates with disabilities.

15.40

Celebration and Networking

Raise a glass with us at our celebratory drinks reception