AHEAD
Creating inclusive environments in education & employment for people with disabilities.

Research and Policy

At AHEAD, we are dedicated to conducting high-quality research that builds a reliable and credible foundation for our advocacy efforts. Our mission is to support students, learners, and graduates with disabilities by driving positive change through evidence-based policy influence. 

Central to our work is amplifying the voices of students and graduates with disabilities. We actively listen to their experiences and ensure their perspectives are heard, empowering them to become active agents in their own lives. Together, we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all disabled students and graduates in Ireland. 

To drive meaningful change, we produce policy-relevant knowledge through ongoing research initiatives. This research shapes our engagement with national stakeholders and strengthens our advocacy in the policy landscape. Each year, we publish reports that track the participation rates of disabled students in Higher Education in Ireland, ensuring their progress is both monitored and celebrated. We also work to maintain a strong presence in Further Education and employment, advocating for inclusivity at every stage. Our research is guided by the voices of disabled students, whose lived experiences inspire our efforts. By responding to their needs and closely monitoring policy developments, we aim to create the greatest possible impact.

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Policy Submissions

Driving Equity, Equality, and Inclusion

At the heart of our Research and Policy Team's work is a commitment to fostering equity, equality, and inclusion for the people we represent. We are regularly invited to engage with policymakers and stakeholders and stimulating change at policy level is a key part of the Team’s role as advocates for accessible education and employment.  

Through sustained collaboration with national stakeholders, we have established a strong and trusted voice in shaping policy. Our researchers actively participate in consultations to break down barriers and create more accessible pathways to tertiary education and the labour market for disabled people. By championing inclusive policies, we strive to ensure equal opportunities for disabled people and build a society where everyone can thrive. 

Inclusive Employer Framework - Widening Inclusion of Disability in Employment

WIDE Framework

AHEAD are developing a new collaborative national framework, the WIDE (Widening Inclusion of Disability in Employment) Framework which commenced in August 2023 and is funded by the Department of Social Protection through AHEAD's WAM Programme.

The aim of the WIDE Framework is to support employers in reducing barriers to hiring, retaining, and promoting more people with disabilities, and to create more inclusive working environments.

WIDE Framework Webpage

Policy Groups

AHEAD is represented on a broad range of policy groups/networks and contributes directly to the planning and delivery of national policy measures and outputs. We do this by bringing research and evidence to the group and raising issues that AHEAD is bearing witness to on the ground and giving feeding back on proposals by national agencies.

  • The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHEIRS) National Access Plan Advisory Group – AHEAD assist in supporting oversight and implementation of the National Access Plan: A Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education 2022-2028.
  • SOLAS Fostering Inclusion Advisory Group – We maintain a strong presence in the Further Education sector by supporting the oversight and implementation of the inclusion stream of the National Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024.
  • SOLAS FET Digital Learning Steering Group – Our Team supports the development and delivery of a digital learning framework for FET, which is of particular importance for some disabled students.
  • Irish University Association (IUA) Access Steering Group – We share research data and findings and highlight access issues arising in universities across the country.  Our engagement with the IUA is significant as it enables us to contribute to the ongoing development and oversight of the DARE and HEAR schemes.
  • Department of Education: National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance Advisory Group – Following AHEAD’s input during the consultation phase of the Framework, we now provide feedback and advice on its development and implementation, ensuring universal design and equity of access to guidance are considered for disabled people.
  • HEA Student and Staff Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group – this recently established group aims to oversee and advise on the implementation of the HEA National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework, and the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework.
  • National Apprenticeship Alliance (Generation Apprenticeship) Equity of Access Subcommittee – Our engagement with this sub-committee is crucial considering that disabled learners are significantly under-represented in relation to all apprentices. In this Forum, we advise and help support initiatives and strategies that promote access to apprenticeships for disabled people.
  • The Link Network – LINK is a European network made up of 7 organisations and educational institutions with national remits on issues related to disability and inclusive education, including transition from secondary level, Further and Higher education.
  • Disability Federation of Ireland’s Research and Policy Forum - an important network of Disability NGO research and policy teams which gather data and collaborate on the development of submissions nationally.
  • Add the Tenth Alliance – Due to the accepted intersection of disability and poverty in Ireland, AHEAD collaborate with other NGOs with the joint objective of reviewing Equality Legislation to include socioeconomic status as a ground for discrimination.
  • Graduate Outcomes Survey Stakeholder Reference Group- The HEA publish data regarding graduate outcomes annually, and this is of particular interest to AHEAD as the transition for tertiary education to employment is often challenging for disabled graduates. Following a review of the survey format, AHEAD were invited to collaborate and advise on how to implement 5 core recommendations. The group will oversee the implementation of these recommendations which aim to review the structure of the survey, its methodology and the use of survey data as a strategic asset to inform the HE landscape and State policy pertaining to graduate transition to the labour market.
  • Social Policy Network- This group is facilitated by Community Law and Mediation and aims to bring researchers together to collaborate, share policy relevant knowledge and discuss how to leverage our research activities and practices to obtain maximum benefit in the policy arena.