The Accessible Learning Experience

We are excited to bring you this episode to wrap up Season 3 of the Accessible Learning Experience with a discussion of the updated Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines. Universal Design for Learning is the framework CAST has pioneered over the last 40 years to assist educators in optimizing teaching and learning so that it works for everyone, and accessibility is a foundational component of UDL. We are lucky to have with us on this episode Jenna Gravel and Nicole Tucker Smith, who have led a community-focused, accessible and transparent process for ensuring the updated guidelines reflect the best thinking in the field as well as in the research literature.  Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

The correctional setting is one that is often overlooked when it comes to accessibility and inclusive learning opportunities, but it is a setting where these are most needed. On this episode, we are excited to welcome CAST Career and Technical Education and UDL trainer Donald Walker to the podcast. Donald is joined by Jennifer Montag, Director of Disability Services at Marion Technical College, which offers a number of programs that take place in a correctional setting. As Jennifer explains, programs that provide access to educational opportunities in correctional settings can have a positive impact not only on the lives of the individuals enrolled in those programs, but on the community that receives them once their term is over. In essence, we all benefit when those in corrections are able to grow and improve their lives through education.   Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

The federally-funded Technical Assistance centers based at CAST are always working on new resources to help the field implement best practices in the provision and effective use of high-quality accessible materials and technologies. This month, we are pleased to share two new resources from the AEM Center. Michelle Soriano shares information about a new Family’s Guide to Accessible Educational Materials designed to help parents and caregivers work with their child’s teachers and education team to make sure each child receives the AEM they need in a timely manner. Kelli Suding then introduces a new Online Learning Series on Accessible Materials and Technologies, which are delivered through Canvas and are ready for you all to add to your professional development offerings. But first, we have the pleasure of introducing our new AEM Center Project Director, Dr. Elizabeth Barker. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience with accessibility and has a rich background in special education as well. We are thrilled to have her on our small but mighty team! Visit ⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

Diana Garcia-Mejia is a Pre-K teacher of students with visual impairments who is passionate about accessibility and inclusion for all students. On this episode, Diana shares many practical tips and ideas for ensuring young learners with visual impairments get off to a strong start in their educational journey. That includes learning about braille and other supports, including assistive technology, as early as possible. The conversation with AEM Center Technical Assistance Specialist Luis Perez touches on the importance of involving families in braille education for young learners, ensuring representation by providing role models for young learners with visual disabilities to emulate and be inspired by, and much more. Stay tuned to the end to learn about an exciting project Diana was involved in: What I Can Be Is Up to Me, an accessible children’s book featuring characters who are blind or visually impaired.  Visit ⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

For our final episode of 2023, we are excited to welcome Loui Lord Nelson to the podcast. Loui, who herself is a master podcaster and the creator of the popular UDL in 15 minutes podcast, is an international UDL educator, consultant, speaker, and author. She has worked with schools, districts, universities, and ministries of education around the world to support UDL implementation and research, and you will hear about some of those experiences in this episode. Loui will share her UDL journey which began at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) in Columbus, Indiana, her insights on the importance of accessibility for UDL practitioners, and her tips for getting started with accessible podcasting as a way to grow the UDL community by sharing the work of the many great educators she has met on her UDL journey. Visit ⁠aem.cast.org⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

Developing a robust system that improves the timely delivery of high-quality accessible educational materials and technologies requires coordinated work at both the state and district levels. What does that kind of partnership look like? On this episode, Carson Cochran, from the Georgia Department of Education, and Somer Smith, from Marietta City Schools, share the insights and lessons they have learned through their collaboration as part of the National AEM Cohort. And stay tuned until the end to learn about Take a Minute!, an exciting new initiative to bring a more intentional consideration of assistive technology and accessible educational materials into the IEP process in Georgia.Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

In the conclusion of our three-part series exploring the history of accessibility at CAST, co-founders Skip Stahl and David Rose reflect on how that history continues to inspire and inform the work of the technical assistance centers based at CAST. The episode concludes with a touching tribute to the life and work of Joy Zabala, with information on how you can contribute to the Joy Zabala Fellowship fund and continue her legacy as a leader in assistive technology and accessible educational materials. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

In part 2 of our three-part series focusing on the history of accessibility at CAST, CAST co-founder Skip Stahl picks up the story from David Rose in the mid-1990s, when CAST becomes more involved in the world of policy in order to have a broader impact with initiatives such as the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard or NIMAS, and creation of the National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Skip and David speak to the consensus building and collaboration needed to bring a range of stakeholders to the table in order to make meaningful change and concrete outcomes, which continue to have a significant impact on learners everywhere to this day. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

In Part 1 of our three-part interview, CAST co-founders David Rose and Skip Stahl look back to the early years of accessibility at CAST and the work that laid the foundation for a number of innovations that continue to shape the field of education today. This includes the development of the earliest electronic books to include accessibility supports, which were based on the lessons learned form CAST’s early work with learners with disabilities and the appropriately named “Pioneers” program. We also hear about the creation of the award-winning—and first of its kind—Bobby web accessibility checker. David explains how a meeting with Ron Mace, who coined the term universal design, led to the creation of Universal Design in Education, what we now know as Universal Design for Learning. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

We are so excited to bring you this interview with Jordyn Zimmerman, a passionate educator and disability advocate who is currently the Head of Product Strategy at the Nora Project. Jordyn was diagnosed as autistic at a young age, but she did not receive access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)  until the age of 18. Her own lived experience  fuels her beliefs about leveraging tools and supports to drive change around inclusion for all learners.  Among her many accomplishments, Jordyn has twice been appointed to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and her work has been published in the Boston Globe and the New York Times.  Note: You will hear some long pauses between the question and Jordyn’s answer because we’ve done our best to preserve the authenticity of Jordyn’s communication experience.  (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Question 1 Accessibility Story (06:55) Question 1 Response (07:52) Question 2 Empowering Factors (18:18) Question 2 Response (20:05) Question 3 Impact of Technology (26:55) Question 3 Response (27:44) Question 4 Accessible Educational Materials (33:32) Question 4 Response (34:12) Question 5 Advice to Educators (41:33) Question 5 Response (42:30) Question 6 Contact Information (45:33) Question 6 Response (46:26) Closing Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

A key goal for this podcast is to share the lived experience of learners who use and benefit from providing accessible educational materials and technologies. In that spirit, this month we are lucky to have Connor Joyce on the podcast. Connor is a student at Gettysburg College double majoring in Emerging Threats in National Security and Political Science and minoring in History. In 2018 he was awarded the first copy of Pennsylvania House Resolution Bill No. 1044, which designated October as dyslexia awareness day in the Commonwealth, and in 2021, he received the Pennsylvania Governor's Civic Engagement Award for his work in the community.  Visit ⁠⁠⁠aem.cast.org⁠⁠⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

On this episode, we welcome CITES Framework Development District partners Janna Greathouse and Samantha Reid with Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma, and Bijul Dalal with Grossmont Union High School District in California. Janna and Bijul serve as their districts’ assistive technology leads, while Samantha Reid serves her district as the ed-tech lead. CAST Senior Technical Assistance Specialist and CITES Project Director Maggie Pickett talks with Janna, Samantha, and Bijul to pull back the curtain and share their stories about what worked to build and sustain inclusive technology ecosystems in their districts. Visit ⁠aem.cast.org⁠ for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

The AEM Center has enjoyed an exciting partnership with Step Up AT and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) .  On this episode, CAST Technical Assistance Specialist Maggie Pickett is joined by Michelle Schladant and Austin Garilli from Step Up AT and Jani Kazlowski from ECTA to discuss how their respective centers are working to foster more inclusive learning in early childhood settings. All three centers are funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. Over the past year, the teams collaborated on a workshop series to help early childhood education providers better understand how the use of assistive technology (or AT) and accessible educational materials (or AEM) relates to the successful development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities.  Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

We are excited to launch season 3 of the podcast with a conversation between AEM Center Technical Assistance Specialist Kelli Suding, Rebecca Sheffield from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and Ellery Robinson from the Office of Educational Technology (OET). Rebecca is an Education Program Specialist at OSEP and the AEM Center’s Project Officer, and Ellery has been an Education Pioneers Impact Fellow at OET. Rebecca and Ellery discuss a number of exciting initiatives related to digital accessibility at their respective Department of Education offices, as well as how their two offices are collaborating to share resources and ideas in order to have an even greater impact on the lives of all students who can benefit from technology, including those who have disabilities.  Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

This Season 2 bonus episode originated from the AEM Center being introduced to leaders at the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) by both the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Educational Technology (OET) at the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Throughout May, OSEP and OET partnered on a month-long public campaign to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). On GAAD, May 18th, the two Offices hosted a joint webinar featuring the evolution of SCDE’s digital accessibility initiative. Alerted by a 2017 letter of complaint from the Office for Civil Rights at USDE citing accessibility violations on its website, SCDE has taken multiple actions to improve digital accessibility within the agency and for districts across the state. In this episode, AEM Center Project Director Cynthia Curry interviews SCDE digital accessibility leaders, Valarie Byrd, Senior Consultant, and Lydia Hutto, Training Coordinator & Staff Technology Instructor. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

On this episode, we welcome Zebadiah Hall to the podcast. Zebadiah is the first Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Wyoming, and he has a long career in the field of disability services in higher education. He was previously the Director of Student Disability Services at Cornell University, where he was a champion for integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles into the work of the disability services office.  Our conversation focuses on how we can celebrate the intersectionality and variability learners bring into our learning environments and through the application of UDL along with accommodations when they are needed, create communities of belonging for all learners. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

On this episode, CAST Disability and Digital Inclusion Lead Luis Perez chats with Mia Murphy and Chris Smith from the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). Mia and Chris have been great partners in supporting the work of the technical assistance centers at CAST, especially the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES). In 2022, CITES launched its Virtual Learning Project to learn about promising practices related to educating and supporting students with disabilities in virtual learning programs and their families. The CITES team connected with a number of school districts and organizations dedicated to virtual learning and we are excited to share the work of one of them, the North Carolina Virtual Public School. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

If you are interested in learning more about efforts to coordinate work around Universal Design for Learning across states and make it more systemic and sustainable, this episode is for you. CAST Technical Assistance Specialist Michelle Soriano has a great conversation with Zach Smith, who as a Senior Project Director at West Ed, leads a UDL Deep Drive group as part of his work at the National Center on Systemic Improvement. NCSI is federally funded through the Office of Special Education Programs or OSEP, and its mission is to support state education agencies in developing and improving their general supervision and professional development systems in order to better meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities and their families. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

On this episode, CAST Technical Assistance Specialist Maggie Pickett interviews the authors of Inclusive Learning 365: Edtech Strategies for Every Day of the Year. The authors’ contagious passion for inclusive learning will be quickly evident as they each start with a brief description of what drives their work as advocates for inclusive technology and accessibility. This is followed by a  great conversation on the importance of an inclusive mindset, how to build an inclusive strategies toolkit, and the authors’ vision for a more inclusive future. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.

Mark Nichols is the Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies at Virginia Tech and a longtime friend of the AEM Center and CAST. This episode starts with Mark sharing the personal experience that drives everything he does as an accessibility professional. We then explore the exciting Choose Accessible Learning Materials, or CALM, initiative and how it has helped Mark and his team “franchise” digital accessibility at Virginia Tech. Mark also touches on how the AEM Quality indicators have informed that work from the beginning. And stay tuned until the end for information on how you can get access to design files you too can use to create your own campus digital accessibility initiative. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. If you’re getting value out of this podcast, please share it with others and let us know by providing a rating and commenting wherever you get your podcasts! The contents of this podcast were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education, #H327Z190004. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.