About

AHEAD is the leading professional membership association for individuals committed to equity for persons with disabilities in higher education.

Since 1977, AHEAD has offered an unparalleled member experience to disability resource professionals, student affairs personnel, ADA coordinators, diversity officers, AT/IT staff, faculty and other instructional personnel, and colleagues who are invested in creating welcoming higher education experiences for disabled individuals. Informed by its diverse membership, AHEAD

  • delivers exceptional professional development opportunities through conferences, workshops, webinars, publications, and consultation;
  • fosters community and member networking;
  • informs members of emerging issues relevant to disability and higher education in the legislative and regulatory spheres; and
  • disseminates data, promotes research, and furthers evidence-based practice.
AHEAD boast a membership of approximately 3,700, representing all 50 states and over 10 countries. In addition to its direct memberships, AHEAD has formal partnerships with 37 Regional Affiliates and numerous professional organizations. AHEAD members are actively engaged in service provision, consultation and training, and policy development on their campuses and promote accessibility across the field of higher education and beyond.

Associated Partners

AHEAD connects diverse audiences to targeted resources through its Associated Partners:

Mission, Vision and Core Values

Mission
Through progressive, visionary leadership, grounded in social justice principles, AHEAD: develops, shares, and provides relevant knowledge; strategically engages in actions that enhance higher educational professionals' effectiveness; and advocates on behalf of its membership, their institutions, their work, and those they serve ensuring full, effective participation by individuals with disabilities in every aspect of the postsecondary experience.

Vision
AHEAD envisions a postsecondary experience that embraces disability and is free from barriers.

Core Values


  • Diversity: We believe in creating and promoting diverse educational communities to foster the exchange of ideas and perspectives, offering the opportunity for individual growth and developing a forum that honors the disability experience.
  • Equity: Recognizing that equality is NOT the same as equity, we believe in developing resources and fostering attitudes that provide a truly equitable experience that is responsive to individuals' strengths, weaknesses, and differences.
  • Respect: We believe in providing everyone with an opportunity to express individual thoughts, feelings, ideas, and needs; we listen and honor the individual's right to be heard, even if we do not agree.
  • Inclusivity: We believe in creating an inclusive community that encourages participation of all members, colleagues, practitioners, students, and stakeholders in an environment of mutual respect, opportunity for development, and honor of personal experience.