AHEAD, an independent non-profit organisation working with and for disabled people to shape inclusive and empowering environments in tertiary education and employment, has released its Annual Report for 2024, detailing a year of substantial activity and financial growth.
The report highlights AHEAD's mission to strengthen networks across further and higher education, as well as the public and private sectors, to achieve greater inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
The report showcases a series of key achievements that underscore the organisation's expanding reach and influence. AHEAD's events saw impressive participation, with over 3,000 individuals engaging in 38 in-person and online events throughout the year. The organisation’s digital presence also flourished, with its YouTube channel gaining over 60,000 views and adding 79 new videos in 2024.
AHEAD continued to deliver direct, impactful training, benefiting over 1,600 individuals through 65 tailored sessions for various organisations nationwide. A significant partnership with UCD and the HEA's National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning led to the national award of 1,002 digital badges for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a key initiative in making education more accessible.
In employment, AHEAD's flagship WAM programme provided support for 49 paid and mentored work placements for disabled graduates. The year also saw the development of a new self-directed short course on Reasonable Accommodations & Needs Assessment, a valuable resource for both employers and employees.
The report also details AHEAD’s role in shaping national policy and research. AHEAD played a leading role as the National Collaborator for the development of ALTITUDE, the National Charter for Universal Design in Tertiary Education, which was launched in March 2024. Furthermore, significant progress was made on the Widening Inclusion of Disability in Employment (WIDE) Framework, a multi-year project aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces. The organisation also published six new research reports and publications, both independently and in collaboration with partners.
The full AHEAD Annual Report 2024 is now available, providing a comprehensive overview of these developments and more, as the organisation continues its commitment to driving positive change for people with disabilities in education and employment.
Download the Annual Report 2024
