30th Anniversary History Book

The Global University Disability & Inclusion Network (GUDIN)

India In conjunction with speaking engagements at two national workshops in India in 2018 and 2019, President Hagerty and Beacon’s administrators have worked with the Next Genius Foundation in Mumbai to support the cause of students with learning and attention issues. The workshops were convened at International Schools in Mumbai. Beacon’s presenters discussed tools and strategies for teaching students with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, language processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders and other learning issues. Some 100 educators and national organization leaders attended each event – a critical step in reaching the estimated 10 percent of Indian children who have learning disabilities. “There is a dearth of professional training for educators working with LD students in India,” Neeraj Mandhana, managing trustee of The Next Genius Foundation, observed. A country of 1.3 billion people who highly value education is a natural fit for Beacon’s attention. “We want to make our model known,” Herold said. “The U.S. is the leading country in this area.” Added Oksana Hagerty, “It’s knowledge sharing, so this is really an outreach effort. We want to let them know they can reach out to us for questions, concerns and advice.”

On April 18, 2019, Beacon College joined more than 100 disability advocates and university educators in Paris to charter the Global University Disability & Inclusion Network, or GUDIN. The GUDIN global accord creates an organization dedicated to enhancing the academic experience of students with disabilities who pursue higher education. The organization was inspired by discussions among international college and university representatives invited to the 2018 Harkin International Disability Summit in Washington, D.C.

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin assembled stakeholders from across the globe to review and explore efforts to boost job prospects for people with disabilities. Also instrumental in leading the GUDIN charge were two champions of access and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in higher education: Humanity & Inclusion (formerly Handicap International), a Paris-based disability advocacy non- governmental organization, and the U.S.- based Association on Higher Education and Disability.

President George J. Hagerty represents Beacon College at the GUDIN signing.

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