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

AHEAD Annual Report 2014

The AHEAD Annual Report 2014 is now available and details some of the work and financial statements of AHEAD for that year.

Foreword by Outgoing Chairperson Prof. Brendan Goldsmith

It is my pleasure to introduce the annual report of AHEAD, 2014. The report sets out to give a clear picture of how AHEAD went about fulfilling its core objectives in the year under review. At the outset, I wish to express our sincere appreciation and thanks for the support given to AHEAD during the year, without which the strategic activities detailed herein could not have been undertaken. Securing core funding, collaborating with external agencies and networks of partners are essential to the work of AHEAD; to all who contributed and took part please accept our heartfelt appreciation.

A key undertaking for the Board of Directors this year was to focus on long term planning and the production of a Strategic Plan for the period 2015-2018. The revised mission statement and new vision statement which emerged out of the lengthy review and consultation process better reflect the current position of, and future challenges for, AHEAD given its evolution over the last twenty five years.

Now, against the backdrop of growing diversity in the student population, its emphasis has broadened from a focus on ‘access to’ to a focus on ‘inclusion in’ education of students/graduates with disabilities. This requires the building of a learning environment that embeds flexibility and equality into learning and assessment practices in both higher education and employment. As we look to and plan for the future in the pursuit of empowering more students to succeed in education and graduate employment, we are guided by the concept of Universal Design for Learning and what it has to offer in the development of inclusive learning systems.

This annual report is designed around the work that is already underway regarding the building and development of resources on Universal Design for Learning based on mutual collaboration and shared learning. I hope you will enjoy reading it. Finally, on behalf of the Board of AHEAD, it is a pleasure to acknowledge the incredible work ethic and dedication of the staff of AHEAD.

Professor Brendan Goldsmith

Outgoing Chair of the Board

Get the PDF version of the Annual Report 2014>>