April UDL Connections

Each month this periodical will 1) highlight critical UDL practices, 2) make connections to the UDL guidelines and checkpoints, 3) connect you with great tools and resources, 4) share some ways schools are putting this practice into action and 5) offer additional approaches to utilize this highlighted practice.

This month we're going to break from this structure every so slightly to share some exciting news, the proposed changes to the UDL Guidelines.

THIS. IS. BIG.

This month we are highlighting the Proposed Updates for UDL Guidelines 3.0 Graphic Organizer Draft which is open for public feedback until April 15th, 2024. Check out the webinar and the webinar agenda for more detailed information on the update process and an explanation for the proposed changes. Click on the image to the left to view the DRAFT Guidelines 3.0

To create an inclusive, community-driven, and research-based process to update the UDL Guidelines.

To update the UDL Guidelines to address systemic barriers learning opportunities and outcomes.

To address barriers, including gaps and biases, within the Guidelines and to support individuals in designing learning experiences where every learner is welcomed and honored.

• Emphasize identity as part of variability, including the “who” along with the “why” (Multiple Means of Engagement), the “what” (Multiple Means of Representation), and the “how” (Multiple Means of Action and Expression)

• Acknowledge individual, institutional, and systemic biases as barriers to learning without limits

• Emphasize the value of interdependence and collective learning

• Shift from teacher-centered to learner-centered language

Expand the guidelines and checkpoints for Engagement to:

• Center, affirm, and sustain learners’ strengths and identities

• Emphasize the role of belonging in teaching and learning

• Emphasize the role of joy and play in teaching and learning

Expand the guidelines and checkpoints for Representation to:

• Consider the notion of “multiple means of representation” through the lens of identity

• Consider perceptions of people and cultures

• Value multiple ways of knowing including and extending beyond Western approaches to knowledge

Expand the guidelines and checkpoints for Action and Expression to:

• Center and value forms of expression that have been historically silenced or ignored

• Emphasize the role that bias plays in offering/selecting modes of expression

Join us for UDL Theory to Practice Brown Bag Sessions during your lunch once a month, and plan on sharing how you are using, have used, or plan to use the practices and resources mentioned in the UDL Connections.

Participants are asked to

1) Share a resource/practice from UDL Connections that you've tried OR

2) share and ask for feedback, OR

3) share and ask questions, OR

4) Share what you'd like to try and why.

Everyone is also invited to listen and learn from one another.

Our next Session is April 26th at 11:00 AM

Our final session for this school year is on May 24, 2024 - Mark your calendars!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://sst6-org.zoom.us/j/81521788853

Meeting ID: 815 2178 8853

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://sst6-org.zoom.us/meeting/tZUodeivpjMiH9efaLqXpBQ94dKUurebRpJn/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGpqzkrHdyduByERpwcGYjod-3xiFxHgvpYmh7JEhhDQDKvYuZpB6dtFdri

We can't wait to see you this April!

July 30th & 31st, 2024
Pre-conference sessions on July 29th
Online and in-person
Hyatt Regency Sacramento, CA

This year, for the first time, CAST’s Annual Symposium and the UDL-IRN Summit are joining forces to create the world’s largest International UDL Convention. We are excited to bring together these two events to develop and explore how UDL can be used around the world to break down barriers to learning. CLICK HERE for more information.

Lisa coaches educational leaders in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and provides professional learning to build the capacity of UDL practitioners. She is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative purposed with building the capacity of regional UDL facilitators in order to build state-wide capacity for UDL implementation. Lisa is licensed as an Intervention Specialist in the state of Ohio and with MA in Counseling she brings a unique skillset to the field of education.

Email: lisa.arthur@sst16.org

Website: https://www.sst16.org/

Location: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH

Phone: 440-735-8565

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sstregion16

***This Newsletter was created in collaboration with Cherie Smith, a fellow UDL Consultant from SST6.

Cherie began working at State Support Team Region 6 in July 2015. She has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Inclusive Classroom. Most of her experience has been in special education as a supervisor and an Intervention Specialist at the secondary level. She has taught students wtih disabiliteis in both Florida and Ohio.

Cherie is currently a co-chair of Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network's Implementation Special Interest Group and is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative.

As an SST6 Consultant, she supports districts in the Ohio Implementation Process as a Regional Data Lead. She leads Universal Design for Learning and is part of the Special Education team supporting districts with IDEA Internal Monitoring, Postsecondary Transition, PBIS, and College and Career Readiness.

Email: csmith@sst6.org
Website: https://www.sst6.org/UniversalDesignforLearning.aspx
Location: 1045 Dearbaugh Avenue, Wapakoneta, OH, USA
Phone: 419-739-0170
Facebook: facebook.com/SST6ohio
Twitter: @SST6