AHEAD is an independent non-profit organisation working to promote full access to, participation in, benefit from and contribution to third level education by people with disabilities in Ireland, North and South. It is a registered charity (number CHY9999) and is funded by the Higher Education Authority, by members' subscriptions (members include all third level institutions on the island of Ireland and students with disabilities) and through European Union funding.

AHEAD undertakes research in areas relating to disability and third level education and acts in a consultative capacity to the Higher Education Authority, educational institutions and other bodies in the education sector. AHEAD lobbies to improve access to and increase the participation of students with disabilities in third level education in Ireland. It also strives to inform and change national policy in the areas of the education of students with disabilities and the employment of disabled graduates.