AHEAD Conference - Opening Access to Teacher Education and Practice for Students with Disabilities

YOU SEE THINGS; AND YOU SAY, “WHY?” BUT I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE; AND I SAY, “WHY NOT?”
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW.

Thursday, 15th March, 2012 Location: Dublin Castle

This conference organised by AHEAD in collaboration with the Higher Education Authority, the Irish Universities Association, the Department of Education and Skills and St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra will bring together leaders in teacher education and practice. It will explore teacher education from a number of different perspectives; excellence, new innovations and the inclusion of students with disabilities.
The landscape of higher education has changed dramatically in recent years and there are now over 6,900 students with disabilities registered across all schools, a number of whom now consider teaching as a viable career option. In terms of teacher education, this presents a unique challenge as educators must think beyond the academic environment and consider how to include students with disabilities on teaching placements in schools. This conference aims to look at the interaction of themes such as excellence and the inclusion of students with disabilities. How can broadening access contribute to teacher education and enrich the teaching profession?

Opening Keynote Address:

Dr. Anne Lodge, Principal of the Church of Ireland College of Education will share with you new developments and innovations in teacher education.
Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD will address the audience remotely. Other speakers will include teachers with a range of disabilities working within education. Dr. Lorraine Leeson will explore key challenges for deaf education, Dr. Elizabeth Mathews and Declan Treanor will propose ways forward to improve access for students and a panel of experts together
with delegates will identify the milestones for change.
We need to hear your voice.

How much is the conference fee?

€80 for members of AHEAD
€100 for non members
Free for undergraduate students
Students must still book a place.

How do I book a place?

To book a place at this conference
please visit www.ahead.ie
For more information contact AHEAD
Tel: +353 1 7164396
Email: ahead@ahead.ie
www.ahead.ie

Thursday, 15th March, 2012 Location: Dublin Castle

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

09.30 Registration and Tea/Coffee
10.00 Welcome and Opening - AHEAD
10.10 Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, TD – Pre-recorded Video Message
10.20 Policy Changes in Teacher Education: Implications for Inclusion Dr. Anne Lodge, Church of Ireland College of Education
10.45 Teaching through Sign Language Sean Herlihy, Mathematics Teacher
11.00 Personal Experience Sinead Burke, Student Teacher
11.10 Tea/Coffee
11.25 Dilemmas of Difference: What Does It Mean for Teacher Education? Kathleen O’Leary
11. 45 Questions and Answers
12.30 LUNCH
13.30 Update of Policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education, Brendan O’Dea, Teaching Council
13.45 Supports in Teacher Education Vivienne Byrne, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
14.00 CHOICE Matters Declan Treanor, Director of Disability Service, Trinity College Dublin
14.20 Tea/Coffee
14.40 Seeing is Learning Dr. Lorraine Leeson, Director, Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College, Dublin
15.00 Proposal for Access Dr. Elizabeth Mathews, Education Partnership Group
15:20 Panel Discussion: Broad Discourse on the Next Steps - What Needs to Happen Now?

Facilitator:
Dr. Michael Shevlin, Head of School of Education, Trinity College Dublin

Panellists:
Prof. Kathleen Lynch, Professor of Equality Studies, University College Dublin
Brendan O’Dea, Acting CEO, Teaching Council
Dr. Mary Liz Trant, Head of National Access Office
Dr. Michael O’Keeffe, St Patricks College, Drumcondra
Philip Grehan, Teacher
16.30 Close