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The Accessible Learning Experience

The Accessible Learning Experience

By CAST

Learn how to turn learning barriers into learning opportunities by exploring the world of accessibility and Universal Design for Learning. Show notes for each episode are available at aem.cast.org.

Music: Season 1 - Honey Bee by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 3.0); Season 2 - Funky Life by WinnieTheMoog (CC BY 4.0); Season 3 - Staying Positive by spinningmerkaba (CC BY NC 3.0).
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S.01, Ep.02: Accessibility at CAST, Moving into Policy

The Accessible Learning ExperienceNov 16, 2021

00:00
29:11
S.03, Ep.07: A Student's Perspective: Connor Joyce

S.03, Ep.07: A Student's Perspective: Connor Joyce

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.


Mar 12, 202423:20
S.03, Ep.06: What’s New from the Technical Assistance Centers at CAST

S.03, Ep.06: What’s New from the Technical Assistance Centers at CAST

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.

Feb 13, 202423:01
S.03, Ep.05: Inclusive Early Childhood Education for Students with Visual Impairments

S.03, Ep.05: Inclusive Early Childhood Education for Students with Visual Impairments

Jan 09, 202431:27
S.03, Ep.04: UDL, Accessibility, and Podcasting: A Conversation with Loui Lord Nelson
Dec 12, 202341:05
S.03, Ep.03: Building Inclusive Technology Systems, Stories From CITES Districts

S.03, Ep.03: Building Inclusive Technology Systems, Stories From CITES Districts

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.


Nov 14, 202326:41
S.03, Ep.02: Fostering Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Oct 10, 202322:16
S.03, Ep.01: Collaboration for a Greater Impact, Digital Accessibility at the U.S. Department of Education
Sep 11, 202327:24
S.02, Ep.11: From Compliance to Culture: Digital Accessibility in South Carolina

S.02, Ep.11: From Compliance to Culture: Digital Accessibility in South Carolina

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.

Jul 11, 202326:17
S.02, Ep.10: Intersectionality, UDL, and Communities of Belonging in Higher Ed
Jun 13, 202333:10
S.02, Ep.09: Emphasizing Accessibility in Virtual Learning Programs
May 09, 202331:33
S.02, Ep.08: Systemic Improvement with States at the Design Table
May 03, 202320:51
S.02, Ep.07: Inclusive Learning 365

S.02, Ep.07: Inclusive Learning 365

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.

Mar 14, 202329:51
S.02, Ep.06: Digital Accessibility at Virginia Tech
Feb 14, 202332:13
S.02, Ep.05: Technical Assistance at CAST

S.02, Ep.05: Technical Assistance at CAST

On this episode we are excited to welcome CAST CEO Lindsay Jones to the podcast! Lindsay discusses technical assistance with the entire TA team at CAST, which spans two national technical assistance centers: the National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning (AEM Center) and the Center for Inclusive Techology and Education Systems (CITES). After explaining what makes the approach to technical assistance at CAST unique, the team shares favorite resources based on the different roles and tasks involved in the provision and use of accessible educational materials and technologies. With the resources shared on this episode you will be well on your way to becoming an accessibility ally and hero!

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.

Jan 10, 202324:16
S.02, Ep.04: Procurement as a Collaborative Process

S.02, Ep.04: Procurement as a Collaborative Process

Procuring or purchasing accessible educational materials and technologies will make it more likely that learners with disabilities who use assistive technology (AT) will have access at the same time as everyone else. In this episode, a team from the Francis Howell school district in Missouri speaks to the collaboration across departments that has helped them improve how accessible educational materials and technologies are purchased and provided throughout their district, with the goal of ensuring all learners are able to participate and make progress in their learning in a meaningful way.

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.

Dec 13, 202227:33
S.02, Ep.03: Family Engagement and Inclusive Technology Practices
Nov 08, 202221:02
S.02, Ep.02: Inclusive Workplaces

S.02, Ep.02: Inclusive Workplaces

In this episode, AEM Center Project Director Cynthia Curry chats Dr. Eric Moore, Director of Learning Technology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Dr. Moore’s passion for designing inclusive learning environments has been informed and inspired by his own lived experience as a person with a disability and the many roles he has had in education, both in the U.S. and abroad. Tune in to hear Dr. Moore’s insights on how we can all work to create more inclusive workplaces where “people in all their variety are at the table, with disability being part of that variable tapestry that makes up our humanity.”

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.

Oct 11, 202227:06
S.02, Ep.01: It's Not Cheating! Myth Busting
Sep 13, 202224:55
S.01, Ep.08: Making Learning Inclusive with Clusive
May 17, 202229:39
S.01, Ep.07: Stepping Up for Young Children with Disabilities with Assistive Technology
Apr 19, 202235:49
S.01, Ep.06: How Assistive Technology Opens the Door to Opportunity in Oregon
Mar 15, 202237:24
S.01, Ep.05: Oklahoma’s Five Star Rubric Promotes Accessibility in Workforce Development
Feb 15, 202229:08
S.01, Ep.04: Georgia's State-District Partnership for Accessibility
Jan 18, 202226:48
S.01, Ep.03: Accessibility at CAST, The Legacy Continues
Dec 21, 202134:35
S.01, Ep.02: Accessibility at CAST, Moving into Policy
Nov 16, 202129:11
S.01, Ep.01: Accessibility at CAST, The Early Years
Oct 19, 202130:22