The Accessible Learning Experience

The Center for Inclusive Software for Learning (CISL) at CAST is an OSEP-funded project that developed Clusive as a free, flexible, adaptive, and customizable web-based digital learning environment . On this episode, Lynn McCormack and Kristin Robinson from the Clusive team join us to explain the many accessibility features and Universal Design for Learning supports that are built into Clusive to create a more personalized learning environment that adapts to individual needs and preferences of each learner, including display options, text-to-speech, word lookup, affective measures and more. Stay tuned to the end to learn about some exciting new features that make it even easier for students, teachers and parents to use Clusive with their own materials. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

Step UP AT is an OSEP-funded project that coaches teachers, teacher assistants, families and school districts to adopt evidence-based assistive technology (AT) practices shown to improve early literacy outcomes for young children with disabilities. On this episode, Step UP AT's Michele Schaldant and Austin Garilli explain how Step UP AT is addressing the challenge of building capacity for the effective use of AT in the diverse settings where young children with disabilities and their families receive services, including a video library with AT demonstrations, online modules and more. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

Bruce Alter and Jamie Maier have developed a strong partnership aimed at improving access for all students in Oregon's Tigard-Tualatin School District. On this episode, Bruce and Jaimie share powerful personal and professional stories highlighting the power of assistive technology and accessible educational materials. They also share a number of tips and lessons learned from their district's experience ensuring continuity of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

The need for accessibility doesn't stop when learners transition into the workforce. In this episode, we continue our discussion of effective partnerships, this time with a focus on efforts to improve the timely delivery of high-quality accessible materials and technologies to job seekers with disabilities. Our guests from Oklahoma's Able Tech and Department of Rehabilitation Services explain how they collaborated on a Five Star Rubric that will drive continuous improvement on accessibility for workforce development agencies in Oklahoma, and the lessons they learned from the process that can inform similar efforts in other states. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

Developing a robust system that improves the timely delivery of high-quality accessible educational materials and technologies requires coordinated work at both the state and district levels. What does that kind of partnership look like? On this episode, Carson Cochran, from the Georgia Department of Education, and Somer Smith, from Marietta City Schools, share the insights and lessons they have learned through their collaboration as part of the National AEM Cohort. And stay tuned until the end to learn about Take a Minute!, an exciting new initiative to bring a more intentional consideration of assistive technology and accessible educational materials into the IEP process in Georgia.Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

In the conclusion of our three-part series exploring the history of accessibility at CAST, co-founders Skip Stahl and David Rose reflect on how that history continues to inspire and inform the work of the technical assistance centers based at CAST. The episode concludes with a touching tribute to the life and work of Joy Zabala, with information on how you can contribute to the Joy Zabala Fellowship fund and continue her legacy as a leader in assistive technology and accessible educational materials. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

In part 2 of our three-part series focusing on the history of accessibility at CAST, CAST co-founder Skip Stahl picks up the story from David Rose in the mid-1990s, when CAST becomes more involved in the world of policy in order to have a broader impact with initiatives such as the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard or NIMAS, and creation of the National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Skip and David speak to the consensus building and collaboration needed to bring a range of stakeholders to the table in order to make meaningful change and concrete outcomes, which continue to have a significant impact on learners everywhere to this day. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.

In Part 1 of our three-part interview, CAST co-founders David Rose and Skip Stahl look back to the early years of accessibility at CAST and the work that laid the foundation for a number of innovations that continue to shape the field of education today. This includes the development of the earliest electronic books to include accessibility supports, which were based on the lessons learned form CAST's early work with learners with disabilities and the appropriately named “Pioneers” program. We also hear about the creation of the award-winning—and first of its kind—Bobby web accessibility checker. David explains how a meeting with Ron Mace, who coined the term universal design, led to the creation of Universal Design in Education, what we now know as Universal Design for Learning. Visit aem.cast.org for show notes. 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.