Ballyboy Manorhamilton woman nominated for National Award

Ballyboy Manorhamilton's Aoife Keaney has been nominated for one of this year's esteemed national John Kelly Awards for her outstanding educational development work.

The John Kelly Awards for Universal Design in Further and Higher Education recognises the innovative practice of teaching staff in further and higher education engaging with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to deliver a more inclusive learning experience for their students. The award aims to celebrate and promote the use of UDL in further education and higher education settings.

The awards are named after the late Professor John Kelly, former Registrar of UCD and founding Chair of AHEAD in recognition of his pioneering work. John sadly passed away last year. Sometime prior to John's death he addressed the audience in person at the awards final in October 2022.

AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities. Professor John Kelly played a crucial role in the formation of AHEAD, which was founded in 1988.

Aoife Keaney works at the Rehab Group (National Learning Network) Kempton Parade Sligo. In a statement welcoming Aoife's nomination for the 2023 John Kelly Award the Rehab Group said “we are delighted to announce that Aoife Keaney, our Senior Digital and Assistive Technology Officer, has been shortlisted for a prestigious John Kelly Award in the Individual category.

“This nomination recognises her exemplary work in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices in further education using assistive technology. Through DAT Central, Rehab Group’s Digital and Assistive Technology Service, Aoife and our teams deliver more inclusive learning practices throughout National Learning Network and RehabCare services.

“To be named as a finalist for the John Kelly Award is commendable. Initial screening was conducted by AHEAD (Ireland) and UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. Following that, a panel of international experts reviewed each application. Aoife, with seven other finalists, will give a presentation as part of the John Kelly Awards Final Ceremony on 14th November in UCD.

“An expert judging panel will discuss the presentations of the shortlist and announce an overall winner. In 2022, National Learning Network were finalists for the John Kelly Award alongside University College Cork, University of Limerick, Atlantic Technological University, and we’re very much looking forward to joining all nominees at this year’s event.

“We wish Aoife every success in the next stage of this competition and congratulate her on her success to date.”