Universal Design for Learning and Accessible Educational Materials Panel Discussion

Thanks to those of you who were able to join our webinar on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM).  If you missed the event, and would like copies of the slides, please e-mail me, and I will forward them to you.  I'll also post a notice when the recording of today's webinar is available on the LINCS YouTube channel.

Thanks also to Dr. Sam Johnston for kicking off the conversation, and joining us in the community for your questions on UDL and AEM.  We're also joined by Walei Sabry, Digital Accessibility Coordinator for the City of New York, and Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Berquist, Professional Development Specialist with Baltimore County Public Schools.  All three have a wealth of experience in planning for, and implementing UDL and AEM best practices to meet the needs of adult learners.  You are invited to share your feedback and take away ideas from the webinar, as well as your questions about UDL and AEM!

To start off our conversation, I'd like to ask our three panelists to tell us a little about your role in sharing UDL and accessibility practices with adult learners, and why UDL and AEM should matter to adult educators?

Mike Cruse

Disabilities and Equitable Outcomes Moderator

michaelcruse74@gmail.com

Comments

Welcome to the second day of our panel discussion on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM).  Today we will consider applications to your classroom practices, using UDL/AEM.  I'd like to ask our panelists to answer the questions below about their work in the field.

 Sam - What is one example from your research of an adult learning community that has  gone from little familiarity with UDL/AEM, to adopting best practices that support adult learners?

Liz - How do you incorporate UDL/AEM into your teacher professional development work with adults?

Walei - How do you work across city government agencies to address the need for UDL/AEM to support access for adults with disabilities?

 Finally, I'd like to ask each panelist to leave us with two pieces of advice.  The first is for someone new to using UDL, or considering how to use AEM with adult learners.  Second, what is one piece of advise for someone more experienced with using UDL/AEM?  How can they continue to extend their practice with adult learners?

Best,

Mike Cruse

Disabilities and Equitable Outcomes

michaelcruse74@gmail.com

 

 

Liz, you shared some links and resources during the webinar that were very helpful. Would you consider sharing them here as well? Many of the questions in the discussion aslo focused on ESL. As I recall, one of the links you shared had application for all learners, including ESL learners. 

Thanks, 
Kathy 

Friends, 
I encourage you to explore the links shared in this thread that were shared in the UDL webinar. What content did you find that is applicable to your world? How will you use these resources?

Recently, I was working with a correctional facility who used a curriculum software that was accessibly designed. The facility presumed that since the software was accessible, they met all of the expectations for students until they had a blind learner. The accessible software meant that it was compatible with a screen reader technology and the facility did not have any screen readers on their computers. Once we were able to clearly explain the need for additional assistive technology, the student was able to progress and engage in the learning.  While this is only one component of UDL, my point is that UDL is comprehensive and vital. I invite you to consider this example and then see how these resources will help you as a program administrator, provider of professional development, and instructor. 

Sincerely,
Kathy  

Hi, Mike!  I think that most important part of offering PD on UDL is to model the UDL framework from the initial design.  I always think about the widest range of users from the start.  From there, I identify possible barriers in my instruction and come up with proactive solutions.  I often refer to the website UDL on Campus when planning http://udloncampus.cast.org/home#.WRIrgWAku4Q

Liz, that is great advice.  It also brings to mind Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe's Understanding By Design, which argues that you can’t start planning how you’re going to teach until you know exactly what you want learners to understand.  UDL and AEM add to this idea the thinking that you need to know who your learners are, and what are their challenges to learning. 

Another great resource for thinking how to plan for all learner is the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials, which has quick guides and tutorial videos for creating accessible documents using Word, PowerPoint, PDFs,and other media.

Mike

 

Hi, Mike- Yes, UBD is a helpful lens to think about planning with UDL.... I also like to recommend using UDL Exchange as a support for designing lessons and learning environments-- you will not use this every day, but it surely helps you to think through a UDL lesson with scaffolds.... it is like UDL planning for educators.  If I was new to UDL, I would use this as a guide.

Thank you Michael. I have been the Digital Accessibility Coordinator for the City of New York Since December. The position was created because of a local law we passed last year that mandates website accessibility for city agencies. My role is to help NYC agencies make their digital content accessible to the disability community. That includes, websites, PDF documents, online applications, social media and video content. Part of my work involves the Department of Education. Currently they have an effort to prioritize accessibility on their websites, electronic documents, classroom materials and online learning platforms. I am assisting by testing their digital products and sharing feedback as well as training DOE employees on digital accessibility.

Walei, New York City is lucky to have you!  Can you tell us more about your work with the NYC DOE, and the types of training that you have found most successful in working with employees on creating greater digital accessibility?  I'm  also curious if you have used The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials website? Are there other resources you recommend to your agency partners to help them become active users of UDL principles and practices?

Thanks,

Mike Cruse