Collaborations and Partnerships

AHEAD works collaboratively with several national and international organizations in furtherance of mutual goals and objectives serving to advance the mission of AHEAD. The following is a listing of those current collaborative efforts, with contact information for the AHEAD member(s) serving in as the liaison.

CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards) http://www.cas.edu/
PURPOSE: To work to incorporate a set of program standards for disability services as part of the standard and evaluation process for institutional accreditation.

MIUSA (Mobility International USA) http://www.miusa.org/
PURPOSE: To further efforts, disseminate information, and encourage study abroad opportunities.

AHEAD’s Liaison to MIUSA
Stephan Smith
AHEAD
Phone: 704-947-7779
E-Mail: stephan@ahead.org

NJCLD (National Joint Council on Learning Disabilities) - https://njcld.org/
PURPOSE:  To collaborate on issues related to LD and education, especially concerns re: documentation, transition, reasonable accommodations in K-12 v. postsecondary, and academic preparedness.

Considerations for Transition From High School to Postsecondary Education

NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) http://www.naspa.org/
PURPOSE: To collaborate on issues of students with disabilities in higher education and Student Affairs, utilize established internship program (NUFP), include “disability” as part of graduate training programs for College Student Personnel, and mutually share resources/presence through respective conferences and publications (e.g. newsletters). The relationship between AHEAD and NASPA is facilitated through the implementation of a memorandum of understanding and is overseen by the President of AHEAD. 

ACPA (American College Personnel Association) http://www.myacpa.org/ 
PURPOSE: To collaborate on issues of students with disabilities in higher education, provide resources for Student Affairs professionals, include “disability” as part of graduate training programs for College Student Personnel, and mutually share resources/presence through respective conferences and publications (e.g. newsletters). The relationship between AHEAD and NASPA is facilitated through the implementation of a memorandum of understanding and is facilitated by the executive directors of both organizations.

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

• The National Center on College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) offers consultation and numerous resources for current and future college students and their parents
• ATHEN collects and disseminates best practices in access technology in higher education
• Accessing Higher Ground is an annual conference focused on curriculum and web accessibility
• The Coalition on or Disability Access in Health Science and Medical Education advances leading practices to facilitate access and opportunity for people with disabilities in health science education
• Think College National Coordinating Center works to build a knowledge base for effective, inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disability
• DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism, and Mentoring) is a national organization for and by college students with all disabilities from all communities
• The HBCU Disability Consortium works to identify strategies for providing culturally responsive disability services and classroom instruction to Black and African American college students with disabilities on all campuses