AHEAD START 2026: An Introduction to Access for Newer Disability Resource Professionals

For the past eight years, the AHEAD Start Academy has offered a foundational experience to disability resource professionals who are just building or continuing to grow their fundamental knowledge and skills. This year’s Academy will again be a virtual experience that includes a year-long mentoring component, offering newer professionals the opportunity to explore, discuss, and apply concepts important to building equity on college campuses. 

AHEAD membership through the end of the calendar year is included in the conference registration fee!

As always, the Academy is designed to orient, refresh, and engage. Topics include:

• Disability as a civil right: examination of the history of the disability rights movement, discussion about disability in society today, and how it informs service delivery.
• Legal concepts from Section 504, the ADA, case law, and settlement agreements: the interactive process, “reasonableness,” fundamental alteration, undue burden, and direct threat.
• Exploration of the concepts of disability, substantial limitations, functional limitations, and barriers to access within a framework to guide reasonable accommodation determinations.
• Outreach and consultation: campus leadership and influence.
• Taking care of ourselves as professionals.

To build community and provide opportunities for networking and group support, the online Academy will be synchronous. Therefore, to be fully immersed in the content, discussions, and activities, we recommend that participants connect away from the daily demands of their jobs, from a home office or a private location if possible. While we appreciate the challenge of finding that space and will record sessions for later viewing in case of necessary absences, participating in this event as though it were an in-person training will provide the most benefit. Please review the Academy schedule to block out time in your schedule now.