Hallways, Humanity, and Accessibility

Few people have influenced the implementation of Universal Design for Learning as deeply as Dr. George Van Horn. In this episode, George shares the story of how a commitment to learner variability, educator collaboration, and systems-level change helped shape one of the nation's most recognized examples of sustained UDL implementation. From leadership lessons to practical insights, this conversation explores what happens when schools intentionally design for all learners and how that work can continue long after the original champions have stepped away. TranscriptResources:A Long, Strange Trip: Honoring George Van Horn’s Lasting Impact on UDL and Inclusive Learning Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

In this episode, Kelli shares her biggest takeaways from the 20th Anniversary M-Enabling Summit... from thought-provoking sessions on accessibility ethics, AI, and accessible procurement to the hallway conversations that ended up being the most memorable part of the conference. Join her as she reflects on meeting passionate advocates, educators, and innovators, discovering shared experiences with new friends like Mike and Logan from Ablr, and witnessing a conference that truly modeled inclusion in action. Along the way, we'll explore why accessibility is about much more than compliance... it's about people, relationships, and creating a world where everyone belongs. TranscriptResources:M-Enabling SummitAblrCASTLainey FeingoldKarl GrovesAaron Page

How do districts create lasting change instead of launching one more initiative? Leaders from New Jersey and Ramsey Public Schools share how the CITES Framework helped them slow down, assess their current reality, build a shared vision, and strengthen collaboration across departments. This conversation highlights leadership lessons, unexpected "aha" moments, and practical strategies for creating inclusive technology ecosystems that improve access, participation, and outcomes for all learners. TranscriptResources:CITES Framework AT Act Programs

As a new school year begins, how can educators create learning environments where every student feels welcomed, included, and ready to succeed from day one? In this episode, hosts Kelli Suding and Bryan Dean welcome Heather Avery, Learning Specialist in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Inclusive Teaching and Learning Practices with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in New Brunswick, Canada. Heather shares how New Brunswick's UDL journey has evolved into a comprehensive, system-wide approach to inclusive education. Together, they explore practical strategies that educators can use before students even walk through the classroom door, including ways to foster learner agency, leverage tools like ReadSpeaker, and design flexible learning experiences that recognize learner variability from the start. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or anyone passionate about inclusive education, you'll leave with practical ideas to help every learner feel they belong from the very first day of school. TranscriptResources:Heather's LinkedInReadSpeaker

How do you design learning environments that support both achievement and wellbeing? In this episode, Bryan Dean talks with Vineeta Garg and Gunjan Tomar, co-founders of Wellbeing Mantras and recipients of the 2026 Anne Meyer UDL Design Award.  Drawing on their work with more than 25,000 educators across 10 countries, Vineeta and Gunjan share how they integrate UDL, social-emotional learning, technology, and wellbeing into a cohesive approach to teaching and learning. They discuss designing for multilingual learners, neurodivergent students, learners with disabilities, and underserved communities, while exploring how educators can adapt UDL across diverse cultural contexts.  The conversation also examines what it takes to move beyond accessible resources and create learning ecosystems that foster agency, belonging, and success for every learner. TranscriptResources:Home | Pedagogy Of Learning Pedagogy of Learning is an educator-focused resource hub that promotes inclusive, student-centered teaching through Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and practical professional learning resources.  Hearts and Minds: Life Lessons Through UDL and SEL Hearts and Minds: Life Lessons Through UDL and SEL is a story-based guide that helps educators, caregivers, and families foster inclusive, emotionally supportive learning by combining Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies for everyday practice. 

What does it take to advance Universal Design for Learning while ensuring research leads to meaningful change in classrooms? In this episode, Bryan Dean sits down with Sean Smith, recipient of the 2026 David Rose UDL Research Award, to reflect on more than two decades of leadership, innovation, and impact in the UDL field.  Sean shares key moments from his professional journey, discusses how projects like WRITE, WritingClassroom.org, and VOISS connect research to classroom practice, and explores the opportunities and challenges AI presents for learners with disabilities and learner variability. He also looks ahead to the future of UDL, offers advice for emerging leaders, and reflects on what receiving the David Rose UDL Research Award means to him.  Whether you're an educator, researcher, instructional designer, or accessibility advocate, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of inclusive teaching and learning. TranscriptResources:VOISS | VOISS Advisor-  VOISS is a virtual reality social learning platform that helps students build and apply social skills through 140 interactive scenarios spanning 10 social skill domains, with built-in supports for educators and families. AI Score | Life Span Institute AI SCORE is an AI-powered writing assessment tool that instantly evaluates student writing for content, organization, and style, providing personalized feedback to support stronger written expression.  Writing Classroom | Writing stRategies for Instructional Technology in Education WRITE is a research-based educational technology initiative that helps educators support struggling writers by translating evidence-based writing interventions into practical classroom tools and strategies. 

How do institutions move Universal Design for Learning (UDL) beyond compliance and into campus culture? In this episode, Bryan Dean talks with Paul Miller about Montgomery College's UDL journey, the development of the CLEAR Framework, and what it takes to create lasting institutional change.  Paul shares practical advice for higher education leaders, explores emerging opportunities and challenges for UDL, and highlights innovative practices shaping the future of learning.  Whether you're a faculty member, administrator, instructional designer, or accessibility professional, this conversation offers inspiration and actionable ideas for advancing inclusion across higher education. TranscriptResources:The CLEAR Framework: Digital Accessibility 

What does it take to make assessments more accessible, inclusive, and fair? In this episode, CAST speaks with Carnegie Learning about their journey to embedding accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into assessment design. Together, they explore how a partnership centered on learner variability has transformed product development, strengthened access for all learners, and helped reimagine what equitable assessment can look like. TranscriptResources Carnegie Learning  Upgrade Platform  CarnegieLearningWeb/UpGrade on GitHub @carnegielearning on Instagram Carnegie Learning on LinkedIn  @carnegie.learning on TikTok Carnegie Learning on YouTube @carnegielearn on X 

We're excited to share an episode that was originally published on EduTalk Radio. CAST's Christine Fox, Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, and Niel Albero, Professional Learning Specialist, spoke with host David Cicero to explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a framework that encourages educators to proactively design learning environments that embrace learner variability, reduce barriers, and build student agency.  Christine and Niel also share details about UDL-Con Live Online, taking place July 21–22, where educators, leaders, researchers, and innovators from around the world will come together to explore Universal Design for Learning in practice. Learn more at udlcon.cast.org.   The Learning Experience and EduTalk Radio are both part of the Be Podcast Network. Learn about more great shows for educators and subscribe at bepodcastnetwork.com TranscriptResourcesCAST UDL Guidelines 

In this episode, Stewart Campbell and Lukas Fehling explore why translating the UDL Guidelines 3.0 is never “just language”, t’s culture, identity, and what Stewart Campbell calls a linguistic habitus.  They unpack the real-world tension between the informal “Du” and formal “Sie” in German-speaking academic contexts where “distance equals neutrality” and how UDL’s focus on intentionality (not uniformity) creates room for authenticity and multiple pathways to engagement.  The conversation then shifts to the grassroots momentum behind the emerging UDL network for German-speaking countries, the surprising weight of cross-country administrative startup work, and practical advice for anyone hoping to build a connected UDL community in their own region. TranscriptResources:Lukas Fehlings Stewart Campbell