Reasonable Accommodations in FET Resource Hub
AHEAD, in partnership with Education and Training Boards Ireland are pleased to release the first round of outputs in the Reasonable Accommodations in FET Project. In the FET context, reasonable accommodations are the legal term for disability supports.
This project aims to improve the support experience of disabled learners by assisting ETBs and system stakeholders to identify and address gaps in the areas of reasonable accommodations policy, communication of supports, professional development of support staff and the resourcing of services.
Background to the Project
In 2024, AHEAD and ETBI released the findings of scoping research on the provision of Reasonable Accommodations in FET to better understand current practices across the sector and the experience of learners with disabilities seeking accommodations. It highlighted areas of strength, as well as significant challenges for ETBs in delivering reasonable accommodations and significant gaps in provision which must be addressed.
In 2024, AHEAD and ETBI formed the Reasonable Accommodations in FET Feedback Group, to oversee the AHEAD development of a series of outputs to support ETBs to address systemic barriers to consistent learner support identified in the research. This group featured 28 staff members made up of 1-2 nominated staff members from 13 ETBs in range of support and management roles at both the ETB and the college/centre levels, as well as AHEAD/ETBI staff and an external reviewer.
Self Review Tools for ETBs
The outputs developed by AHEAD/ETBI under the guidance of the RA in FET Feedback Group include:
- A Maturity Model for the Provision of FET Disability Support Services
- A set of associated checklists for ETBs to self-review their Reasonable Accommodations Policy and their Communications of Available Supports
- A User Guide for the Maturity Model and Associated Checklists
- A self-paced eLearning course
Get the tools and find out more!
Coming Soon and Next Steps
Excitingly, in Feb 2025, the FET Directors Forum passed a motion that all 16 ETBs will review their provision of disability supports using the tools developed, and that this review process will be done collaboratively in a community of practice model, with ahead acting as a guide. This process will commence in Spring 2025.
AHEAD's core activities promoting the inclusion of disabled learners in FET are funded by SOLAS, without whom the development of this resource would not have been possible.
Reasonable Accommodations in Tertiary Education
A free online course is designed for current and future tertiary education practitioners who may be involved in the handling of learner support needs or the provision of reasonable accommodations.
In partnership with ETBI
Supported by SOLAS
The core funding received by AHEAD for its further education activities on fostering inclusion is provided by SOLAS.
