AHEAD: Association for Higher Education Access & Disability
Creating inclusive environments in education & employment for people with disabilities.

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Training

AHEAD design and deliver customised training on supporting students and graduates with disabilities both in the learning environment and workplace. Workshops can be tailored to the needs of institutions and workplaces (employers).  Sessions range from specific disabilities, for example, dyslexia, to how to support students and with disabilities on professional placement and within the workplace.

Below are examples of the types of training and workshops we provide. 

 Supporting students with disabilities in the learning environment 

The percentage of students with disabilities in higher education rises by about 15% every year but do you understand what that means in your lecture hall or classroom?   

Participants will:

  • Gain an understanding of the impact of different disabilities in the learning environment.
  • Understand what reasonable accommodations. 
  • Explore how to support students with disabilities and enable them to meet the demands of the course.  
  • Understand the legal obligations placed on their institutions

 Universal Design for Learning – What is it and why do you need to know about it?  

In the lecture hall/learning environment of the 21st century, diversity is now the norm, but how do you ensure the diverse needs of your students are met within the learning environment?  Applying the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can offer practical solutions that benefit all students.

Participants will:

  • Explore the diversity in your institution and examine what you need to do to ensure that your institution fully includes all students.  
  • Gain an understanding of the principles of Universal Design for Learning – UDL.
  • Discover easy ways to start incorporating UDL within your learning environment/institution.

 Supporting students and graduates with disabilities moving into the world of work

GetAHEAD works to upskill students and graduates with disabilities in making the transition from third-level education to full-time employment. Through the GetAHEAD initiative, training events are run in conjunction with the careers and disability support services within the HEI and are free of charge. GetAHEAD can cover topics such as:

  • Interview preparation
  • Writing your CV
  • Job seeking
  • Disclosure of Disability to Employers

 Are you an employer interested in expanding your talent pool?

We provide disability awareness training for the workplace with the aim of improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities by identifying and addressing any potential barriers in recruitment, selection and retention. 

Topics covered include:

  • Interviewing people with disabilities
  • Disclosure 
  • Reasonable accommodations – getting them right
  • Grants & supports
  • Legal obligations

 Assistive Technology - What it is and how can it support individuals?

Assistive Technology, or AT, can support people with a wide range of disabilities. The variety of AT available includes free and paid technologies, and AT is around us in our phones, tablets and computers, as well as other devices. AT is part of Universal Design for Learning and part of the solution to making environments inclusive for everyone.

Participants will:

  • Develop awareness of Assistive Technology and have an understanding of the ways that diverse technologies can help people with disabilities.
  • Gain an understanding of Assistive Technology and how it links to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
  • Understand reasonable accommodations in terms of Assistive Technology.
  • Discover easy ways to start incorporating Assistive Technology within your learning environment/institution.
  • Explore how AT can support students with disabilities and enable them to meet the demands of a course.

Note: these workshops are an introduction to AT and the types of AT available. They do not offer/cover specific technical support for particular types of AT software.

AHEAD training sessions are highly interactive, involving a range of activities that encourage participant interaction and discussion. The methodologies applied are based on the principles of adult and experiential learning, tapping into experiences and knowledge that participants already have. 

Additionally, you can find out about our 2 flagship eLearning programmes by clicking the links below:

AHEAD Start - Supporting Students with Disabilities

The Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning

Training Costs

Most of our training falls into the price categories listed below, however we are funded to undertake some training free of charge in particular our student training and training to upskill placement/careers services in working with students with disabilities so get in touch to enquire about these types of training events if they are of interest.

Tailored Training Costs*** AHEAD Member Rate Non Member Rate
Half Day Face to Face Training Session (2-3 hours) €500 €1000
Short Online Training Session (1-2 hours) €300 €750
Full Day Face to Face Training Session (4-6 hours) €800 €1600
Longer Online Session (3 hours - pre/post lunch) €500 €1200

To find out more about membership of AHEAD and how to join, please visit our membership page.

Booking a Session

To discuss your training needs and book a session, please contact our Information and Training Officer Lorraine Gallagher - lorraine.gallagher@ahead.ie.

If you wish to enquire about free training for students and graduates with disabilities or career placement services working with students with disabilities through Get AHEAD, please contact Get AHEAD Coordinator.

Contact Our Information and Training Officer »

© AHEAD
Creating Inclusive Environments in Education and Employment for People with Disabilities

East Hall, UCD, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
T +353 1 592 1467 E ahead@ahead.ie W www.ahead.ie RCN 20025182