In this episode, we interview Emily Thomas, a technology integration analyst from Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916 about her work in her school district with making inclusive makerspaces. She emphasizes creating differentiated instructional materials that cater to various learning needs, from simple step-by-step instructions with images to advanced challenges. Each makerspace kit provides several key, differentiated supports that teachers can use to ensure all the students in their classroom find success with the project. She also discusses how she created and plans these kits and manages them in her current role. By combining supports, differentiation, hands-on learning, and STEAM, Emily's inclusive makerspace initiative has ensured that all students are engaged and learning.

Show Notes:

Contact Emily Thomas

Link to Emily's makerspace kits

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, we interview Peggy Stern, the founder and CEO of SuperDville, a social-emotional learning curriculum for students ages 7 to 13 with learning differences.

The curriculum is aligned with the CASEL framework and the foundations of science of reading, including multi-sensory and explicit instruction. SuperDville features short video lessons, which include real kids with learning differences. The curriculum includes talking points, a variety of activities that allow every learner to apply the lesson, and teacher resources. SuperDville can be used in both general education and special education settings and is beneficial for all students. We discuss the successes of the platform during our conversation, including the effectiveness determined by pilot studies. SuperDville also provides resources and guidance for parents, including providing translations into various languages. We also discuss the future of the platform and how SuperDville is a valuable resource for teachers, parents, and students. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes:

In this episode, we talk to Ethan Pierce about Adaptive Reader, a platform that preserves student dignity and enhances comprehension through leveled novels. Adaptive Reader uses both the power of technology and humans to customize and adapt classic literature to make it accessible for all readers. The platform allows for a side-by-side comparison between the translated text and the original passage. Designed for supporting both students with learning disabilities and multilingual learners, Adaptive Reader is committed to preserving the integrity of the original text while ensuring that all students can access the material. Ethan also dives into the future of the company and the successes it has had with classroom implementation. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes:

This episode will highlight different sessions at ISTE 2024, the International Society for Technology in Education, in Denver, Colorado. We sat down with several presenters who are sharing different sessions about adaptive and assistive technology, special education, adaptive learning, and disability inclusion. We spoke to Katie Fielding, Devon Caldwell, Doris Nhan, and Susan Aplin about each of their sessions, including key takeaways they hope participants will gain from attending their sessions. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes:

Katie Fielding

Susan Aplin: 

Doris Nhan: 

Devon Caldwell: 

Katie Nieves Licwinko:

This episode is a two parter featuring Carrie Swails. In the first part of the episode, we talk about Carrie’s work with disability advocacy and activism. We discuss Carrie’s DEI work with companies and organizations, including an emphasis on the importance of company culture and clear accommodations processes for creating inclusive workspaces. In part two, we focus on Carrie’s role at Quizizz and their latest updates to support all learners. We discuss Quizizz’s new accommodations profiles, which allow teachers to personalize the learning experience for students by assigning specific accommodations (from a long list of options), so that students receive the support they need. Carrie shares positive teacher feedback, discusses how these profiles can create more inclusive learning experiences and shares about Quizizz’s commitment to accessibility for all learners. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes:

In this episode, we sat down with Syren Nagakyire, the founder of Disabled Hikers, an organization that creates trail guides and resources for disabled hikers. Syren was inspired to create Disabled Hikers after realizing there was a lack of information about accessible trails. The organization’s trail guides are written by disabled hikers, for disabled hikers and uses a spoon rating system to offer a concrete determination of trail difficulty. Syren and Disabled Hikers work with parks and organizations to improve accessibility within outdoor activities. The organization also has a storytelling project and leadership initiative to help empower hikers interested in pursuing disability advocacy in outdoor recreation. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes

In this episode, we interviewed Jerred Mace from OneCourt, a company that is developing technology to make live sports more accessible to fans with Blindness or Low Vision. The technology uses data from sporting events to create tactile representations and physical sensations via a handheld device, which allows people to experience the game by feeling the vibrations. OneCourt has conducted pilots and trials of the product with positive results, including working with professional sports teams and leagues within their live events in stadiums. The company is also working on integrating audio feedback with the haptic feedback to create a more holistic sports entertainment experience. OneCourt’s goal is to make the live sports experience more accessible for every fan and eliminate the delay barriers that come with solely using sportscast announcing. OneCourt’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people with Blindness and Low Vision can experience and engage with live sports.  (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes

In this episode, we talk to Jari Majewski Price, the founder and CEO of Feel the Beat. Feel the Beat is a nonprofit organization and dance studio in Colorado that is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible environments in dance education. Founded by Jari and Julia Faliano, who were both Deaf educators at the time, Feel the Beat allows Deaf and Hard of Hearing dancers and dancers with and without disabilities to learn to express themselves through music. Feel the Beat uses an innovative and special bone-conductive dance floor that allows dancers to use the vibrations to guide their movements. In addition, Feel the Beat provides a variety of supports to help all dancers, including specialized training for all instructors and an accessible, adaptive, and inclusive curriculum. (Episode Transcript)

Show Notes: