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The Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED) was created by the European Commission in December 2007. ANED will establish and maintain a pan-European academic network in the disability field to support policy development in collaboration with the Commission's Disability Unit. Its philosophy and aims support the objectives of European disability policy towards the goal of full participation and equal opportunities for all disabled people.
 
ANED builds upon the expertise of existing disability research centres and national networks, supported by contacts in each country, expert rapporteurs in specific themes, and links to other policy and research networks. In this way, it provides a co-ordinating infrastructure of academic support for practical implementation of the European Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Europe.
 
The Network is managed by Human European Consultancy (NL) in partnership with the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (UK).

Professor Mark Priestley (ANED Scientific Director)discussed the lessons learned from ANED’s monitoring of the EU Open Methods of Co-ordination (OMCs).

It is widely accepted that the new European Disability Strategy requires a more co-ordinated policy implementation model than the previous Disability Action Plans. The model for co-ordination needs to be consistent with developments in Europe 2020 and UN Convention processes (it should support them but not duplicate them). Any new arrangements must be politically and technically feasible within the existing structures and institutions.

On 11 November 2011 ANED held its Fourth Annual General Meeting (the last for the 2008-2011 work programme) in Brussels, bringing together its academic members from the EU/EEA Member States with representatives from the Commission staff and key invited guests. The annual meeting provides an important opportunity for members to share expertise, to exchange ideas and to consider the future work programme of the Network.