AHEAD and USI are looking for students/learners to apply to be a member of their newly established Disabled Student Advisory Group.
The purpose of the group is to inform the strategy and policy of AHEAD and USI concerning the inclusion of students with disabilities in Higher and Further Education. The group will bring a strong disabled student voice into FET and HE policy. The group will achieve this by:
- Raising issues experienced by students with disabilities on the ground for discussion which may need to be addressed through the work of AHEAD and USI
- Highlighting areas of good work in inclusive practice on the ground being achieved by student bodies or institutions for spotlighting and sharing
- Providing feedback, comment and advice as requested on the work of AHEAD and USI and direction on shared pieces of work (e.g. the annual Disabled Student’s Forum event).
- Sharing related AHEAD/USI work through their own local networks.
ROLE OF A GROUP MEMBER
The initial term time for a group member is 1 year. The group is expected to meet 2-3 times per year and meetings should last approximately 2 hours. Members may be asked to contribute outside of meetings in other ways via email, both individually or as a group.
The types of engagement outside of the meetings could include:
- Feedback/comment on a document or proposal
- Request for issues to be identified and raised regarding a particular area e.g. inclusion on Erasmus study abroad programmes, access to postgraduate courses etc.
- Request to share a related AHEAD and/or USI event or piece of work through local networks
- Request for members to volunteer for a working group on a specific piece of related work
WHO CAN/SHOULD APPLY
Applications for this voluntary opportunity are open to students with disabilities/SU Officers currently enrolled on higher education or further education and training (e.g. PLC) courses/programmes.
Interested parties should have a strong interest in advocating for a more inclusive education system for people with disabilities and/or be involved in advocacy or student politics/disabled student societies.
Please note in selecting the makeup this group, AHEAD/USI will seek to ensure as much as possible that the group reflects the diversity in our education system.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
By getting involved, you can help shape the national conversation about inclusion and universal design for learning in further and higher education. It’s also an opportunity to meet like minded individuals and it looks great on a CV.
HOW TO APPLY
You can apply by completing this online application form by 19th October 2020. To complete this application you will need to prepare and have handy:
- 100-300 words (or a link to a video submission) on why you want to be a member of the Disabled Student Advisory Group? Some of the reasons you could give us might involve why you are interested in the inclusion of students with disabilities – what drives you in your personal and student life to want to contribute.
- 100-300 words (or a link to a video submission) on what you think you can contribute to the Disabled Student Advisory Group? Some of the examples of what you can contribute might involve highlighting related work you have done in this area, student/advocacy groups you are involved with, personal attributes you can bring to the group.
TIMELINE
- 19th October – deadline for applications
- 1 week later – notification of success
- Nov 10th – 1st meeting of the group
Click here to go to Application Form
If you have any questions or queries, please contact Hannah at hannah.kelly@ahead.ie
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