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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).

On 1^st December 2010 ANED held its third Annual Meeting in Brussels, bringing together its academic members from all 29 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.

Johan Ten Geuzendam (Head of the European Commission’s Disability Unit)emphasized the value of ANED to the Commission. ANED’s research in the previous year had proved extremely helpful in assisting the formulation of the new European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, and over the next year the Commission will be looking to ANED for support in implementing that strategy, and measuring progress. ANED’s research has a growing influence on policy and practice, and the Commission recognises the continuing need for a network of experts after the current period of funding ends in 2011.

On 15th December 2008 ANED held its first Annual Meeting in Brussels, bringing together its Academic members from all  EU Member States,  with representatives from the Commission and key invited guests.