UDL Unlocked: One Consideration at a Time

Open Access
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

At Open Access, we believe Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is more than a framework—it’s a mindset shift toward access, inclusion, and learner agency. The UDL Unlocked Podcast brings this belief to life with engaging, practical episodes that “unlock” one UDL consideration at a time. From real stories to useful strategies, we break down CAST’s UDL 3.0 Guidelines into clear, actionable insights. Whether you're new to UDL or a longtime advocate, each episode supports your journey from theory to intentional, inclusive design.

  1. Sep 1

    More Collaboration for ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights Consideration 8.3 "Foster collaboration, interdependence, and collective learning"" and we hear how Mahj Yusufi, 1st grade teacher, intentionally implements this consideration in her classroom.   Interested in visiting one of the Open Access Showcase Sites?  Click the link to visit our website to learn more! For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠ View Episode Transcript

    More Collaboration for ALL

  2. Aug 4

    Proactively Planning for ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights Consideration 6.2 "Anticipate and plan for challenges" and we hear how Krista Croteau, TK teacher, intentionally implements this consideration in her classroom.   Here are some resources shared in this episode: Problem Solving Wheel Photo Circle: https://www.photocircleapp.com/ Age Appropriate Chores for Kids Article Age-Appropriate Chores for Children Printable PDF  Interested in visiting one of the Open Access Showcase Sites?  Click the link to visit our website to learn more! For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠View Episode Transcript

    Proactively Planning for ALL

  3. Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Summer Episode: Open Access Resource Guide

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode is our Bonus Summer Episode, which does not follow our typical rhythm of interviewing a guest about a UDL consideration, rather we dive into the free Open Access Resources available to all! Here are the resources discussed in this episode: Open Access Website Archived Events Upcoming Trainings Open Access Blog * Blog Post: Setting Up Your Classroom with UDL In Mind Open Access Newsletter Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Open Access UDL FlipKit Open Access Interactive UDL Companion Open Access ECE UDL Crosswalk Open Access Lesson Planning Toolkit Open Access Podcast: UDL Unlocked LUDIA: FREE AI- Chatbot trained in UDL  Accessible Technology (AT) Open Access AT Flip Kit Open Access AT Resources Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Open Access AAC Resources (including Free, Printable Core Boards) Open Access AAC FlipKit AAC Needs Assessment Process Interested in listening to Season One Episodes of UDL Unlocked? Here is a breakdown of Episodes based on their UDL Principal (Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression) with the grade level educator listed. Engagement  Engaging ALL Learners from the Start (4th Grade Teacher) Empowering ALL With Choice (TK-5th Grade PE Teacher) Connecting to ALL (Vice Principal) Joy and Play for ALL  (5th Grade Teacher) Collaboration for ALL  (Middle School English Teacher) Representation  Helping ALL Learners Perceive Content (3rd Grade Teacher) Making Meaning for ALL (TK-6th grade STEAM Teacher) Action and Expression ALL the Ways to Show What They Know (Middle School English Teacher) Tools for ALL! (2nd Grade Teacher) ALL the WAYS They Show They Know (Middle School Math Teacher) Interested in having Open Access support your school, district or county office? Feel free to reach out to our team! Contact: Laurie Balsano-Wright, Coordinator, Open Access Leah Padilla, Coordinator, Open Access  Episode Transcript

    Bonus Summer Episode: Open Access Resource Guide

  4. May 5

    Collaboration for ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights Consideration 8.3:  "Foster Collaboration, interdependence and collective learning" and we hear how Anne Grant, middle school English teacher intentionally implements this consideration in her classroom.   As mentioned in the episode, here is the article that Anne discussed as inspiration for increasing collaboration and student voice: Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say by Steven C. Reinhart  Here are a few other collaborative resources shared from Anne Grant: 1. The Baker's Dozen: High Leverage Collaborative Structures 2. The Collaboration Toolkit: Communicating Like Scholars 3. Demystifying the CA ELD Standards For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠View Episode Transcript

    Collaboration for ALL

  5. Apr 7

    Making Meaning for ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights Consideration 3.3: Cultivate Multiple Ways of Knowing and Making Meaning Interested in implementing this consideration like Lori? Click here to find a link to her lesson plan template! For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ View Episode Transcript

    Making Meaning for ALL

  6. Mar 3

    ALL The Ways to Show They Know

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights Consideration 4.1 "Vary and honor the methods for response, navigation and movement" In this episode, our guest discusses Building Thinking Classrooms, Desmos/Amplify and Geometry in Construction.  Explore links below to learn more information: Building Thinking Classrooms - Check out all kinds of free resources, including BTC Tasks, Numeracy Tasks, Card Tricks and Podcasts with more strategies and tips!   Desmos/Amplify - create an account to receive free resources!  Geometry in Construction - High School Geometry Curriculum, focused around building and construction. For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ View Episode Transcript

    ALL The Ways to Show They Know

  7. Feb 3

    Joy and Play for ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights : Consideration 7.3: Nurture Joy and Play We interview Anthony LaBella, 5th grade teacher in Sacramento County, about how he and his teaching team, integrates this consideration into their practice. To visit one of the Open Access Showcase Sites, follow this link to our website. Follow this link to view the video from Nicole Tucker Smith, referenced in this episode. Find information here around Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD), a strategy referenced in this episode. For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View Episode Transcript

    Joy and Play for ALL

  8. Jan 6

    Connecting to ALL

    Welcome to the UDL Unlocked Podcast! In each episode, we dive into one key consideration from the UDL Guidelines and bring it to life through real stories from the classroom. Join us as we sit down with educators who share how they're putting UDL into action to create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. This episode highlights: Consideration 7.2 "Optimize relevance, value and authenticity" Referenced in this episode: Open Access UDL Resources Walkthrough Tool: Positive Notes for Teachers Walkthrough Tool: UDL Evidence Form UDL Lesson Planning Toolkit Plus One Approach Planning Document Using LUDIA to Implement UDL in Classrooms For more information about the UDL Guidelines, see the CAST website: ⁠⁠https://www.cast.org/ ⁠⁠ Explore the Open Access Website and find our UDL, AT, and AAC Toolkits, our Interactive UDL Companion, and lots more resources! ⁠⁠https://www.openaccess-ca.org/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ View Episode Transcript

    Connecting to ALL
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At Open Access, we believe Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is more than a framework—it’s a mindset shift toward access, inclusion, and learner agency. The UDL Unlocked Podcast brings this belief to life with engaging, practical episodes that “unlock” one UDL consideration at a time. From real stories to useful strategies, we break down CAST’s UDL 3.0 Guidelines into clear, actionable insights. Whether you're new to UDL or a longtime advocate, each episode supports your journey from theory to intentional, inclusive design.

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