Advertise on podcast: UDL in 15 Minutes

In this episode of UDL in 15 Minutes, Tom Tobin talks about scaling Universal Design for Learning campus-wide. Tom shares the story of Atlantic Technological University in Ireland, which moved UDL from a grassroots effort to institutional practice through five stages: possible, permitted, supported, rewarded, and expected. Tom and Loui discuss shifting messaging from compliance to genuine support to sustain lasting culture change.

Ikram Sabti, head of primary at The Aures School in Algeria, shares how Universal Design for Learning transformed her inclusive, multilingual classroom and now she now applies those same principles to professional development. Discover how one leader is shifting school culture from compliance to genuine, lasting growth for both students and staff.

Chayma Bouzenag, an Algerian English Department Head, shares how UDL transformed her diverse, inclusive classroom and turned disengaged multilingual learners into confident, self-directed students through flexible expression, collaboration, and barrier-removing design.

Bartola Mavric, head of student support at the British International School of Istanbul, discusses her school's year-and-a-half journey implementing Universal Design for Learning. She outlines their gradual, staff-friendly approach that began with engagement, building UDL mindsets, and introducing practical classroom toolboxes. Bartola also shares survey results, next steps, and plans to expand UDL into secondary school.

In this episode, elementary PE teacher and team leader, Matt Magowan shares how Universal Design for Learning transformed his physical education program at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam. He discusses using choice boards, collaborative strategies like "campfires," "peace talks," “sentence starters” and popsicle stick continuums to support student agency, social skill development, and self-reflection across all learners.

UDL consultant Marijke Welten joins host Loui Lord Nelson to share how she adapted the One Page Profile, a person-driven planning tool, into a personal profile for all students. Marijke walks educators through each section of the tool, explains how student-expressed goals and barriers differ from educator-assumed ones, and offers practical strategies for bringing learner agency into UDL classrooms.

Carla Ferla, head teacher at Peareswood Primary School, and Julie Carson, the director of education at Woodland Academy Trust talk about their transformative UDL journeys. Discover how designing inclusive, flexible learning from the start helps every child thrive.

Discover how Courtney Wiley Martin, an inclusion specialist, and her colleague Casey, a PE teacher, used UDL to create a physical education course that continues to bring students with significant disabilities and general education peers together, transforming school culture and proving students lead the way to true inclusion.

This Feed Drop from ThinkUDL features Dr. Kavita Rao from the University of Hawai’i. Dr. Rao discusses the UDL design cycle and the evolving state of Universal Design for Learning research in higher education. Learn how to implement intentional, inclusive design from the outset, understand learner variability, and explore exciting research opportunities across disciplines. Discover practical guidance for conducting your own UDL research and contributing to this growing field.

Lukas Fehlings and Stewart Campbell share their plans to build a thriving UDL community in German-speaking countries. Hear their strategies for breaking language barriers, creating accessible resources, and connecting educators across borders. Whether you're building your own network or seeking collaboration ideas, this episode offers invaluable insights into grassroots movement-building that's transforming education in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

In this episode, Gordon shares his journey from being intimidated by curriculum to becoming an expert, and reveals how he reimagined UDL guidelines as learning principles applicable to assessment policy, student leadership, and school-wide practices. Learn how to find flexibility in standards and make UDL work in your context.

Discover how Wisconsin transformed UDL implementation statewide through a powerful mentor-driven approach. Join Loui Lord Nelson as she speaks with CAST 2025 UDL Innovative Practice Award winners Jo Miller and Michelle Ring-Hanson about their groundbreaking Implementation Trials Mentor Toolkit. Learn how this systematic, teacher-led process supported over 17,000 classroom observations, dramatically increased student engagement, and built collective efficacy across districts. Access their comprehensive toolkit and revolutionize UDL implementation in your school.

Looking for a fresh perspective on Universal Design for Learning? Join principal Juan Gallardo as he reveals the connections he discovered between UDL and the ancient Greek concepts of logos, pathos, and ethos. Hear how the hero's journey mirrors student learning and why UDL isn't something we design—it's something we discover within ourselves as humans.

Join Maddy Gentry, Learning Support Teacher at Dresden International School, as she shares how UDL transforms co-teaching through critical lesson planning. Discover her breakthrough moment when vocabulary barriers disrupted a math lesson, leading to powerful insights about proactive barrier identification. Learn practical strategies for implementing UDL one step at a time in diverse classrooms.

Elementary librarian Lauren Boop shares how Universal Design for Learning principles transformed her approach to designing a new library space for early childhood through second grade students. From accessible book displays to student-centered learning stations, discover how UDL creates intentional, barrier-free environments that enhance learner agency and outcomes.