1. 2012 AHEAD Conference Presented by AHEAD President, Board Members

2. History of AHEAD Began in 1977 Section 504 Regulations era Pre-ADA Professional Development & Resources Regional/State Groups promoted & supported TODAY 33 Affiliate Organizations in the US Over 2,600 members Fiscally sound

3. AHEAD’s Vision AHEAD envisions educational and societal environments that value disability and embody equity.

4. AHEAD Values Philosophy, thinking, and paradigms that view disability as the interaction between person and environment; Diversity throughout the Association; Equitable, just, sustainable, and usable postsecondary environments; Professionals who respect and nourish student autonomy and work as allies to design inclusive communities; and Organizational strength that sustains essential resources and supports growth.

5. Strategic Goals – from Mission Goal 1 – Achieve a dynamic and sustainable organization and membership Goal 2 – Provide leadership to achieve equitable, just, sustainable and useable postsecondary environments Goal 3 – Integrate diversity throughout the association Goal 4 – Create, coordinate, refine and deliver comprehensive professional development opportunities Goal 5 – Create and disseminate resources that further and address disability and postsecondary education

6. How are Goals Achieved Board of Directors Executive Director Staff under the direction of ED Committees Collaborations with ally organizations, groups Public comments, endorsements, e.g. CRPD Member engagement – program & professional surveys, research dissemination, listserv

7. Who works for AHEAD Staff – located in the Charlotte, NC Always can write to ahead@ahead.orgahead@ahead.org Executive Director – Stephan Hamlin-Smith Associate Executive Director – Oanh Huynh Program Managers Richard Allegra, Tri Do, Valerie Spears-Jarrell, Robert Plienis, Jane Johnston

8. Others doing work for AHEAD Board members, elected & appointed Introductions Editors of JPED and ALERT AHEAD Representatives – e.g. NJCLD, CAS Committee members 5 Standing Committees, Ad Hoc Committees SIG chairs

9. Future Directions Expanded professional guidance briefs + trainings Diversity initiatives Language of disability – use by AHEAD with review of publications, web content International Engagement Professional mentoring Member resources on technology issues pertinent to DRS Ongoing engagement with emerging issues - always something new & exciting

10. How to get involved Affiliates – great way to develop leadership Committees Ad hoc Standing AHEAD Representatives SIGs JPED review board NETWORKING

11. Other avenues Conference presentations, roles and support State and regional conferences Reach out directly to AHEAD leaders Contribute special background, e.g. authoring publications, presenting workshops AHEAD mentoring program – new in 2012 Ideas from everyone

12. Contact Information Jean Ashmore jean@ahead.orgjean@ahead.org Scott Lissner lissner.2@osu.edulissner.2@osu.edu Bea Awoniyi bawoniyi@admin.fsu.edubawoniyi@admin.fsu.edu Stephan Hamlin-Smith stephan@ahead.orgstephan@ahead.org