Stories of Success

Photo by Wix Posted by: Mimi Zimlich, M.S., PPS, UDL/AT Content Lead, Open Access Recently, I found myself imagining what I would hope to see during a classroom visit. Students working in different ways while engaging in the same task. For example, one student using voice typing to share ideas, another listening to text read aloud through headphones, and another adjusting their screen settings or using captions to follow along. Nothing about it would feel unusual. No one woul

Posted by: Jennifer Wright, M.A., CCC-SLP, Open Access Casandra Guerrero, M. Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP, Diagnostic Center North Natalia Silva Sepulveda, M.S., SLP, Hollister High School Photo by Wix “When my students who use AAC leave the public education system, I want them to…” Pause for a moment and reflect on that sentence. Whether you are an educator thinking about your students' independence and future employment, or a parent thinking about something more personal, “I want the

Posted by: Jennifer Wright, M.A. , CCC-SLP Photo by Wix When an AAC tool comes home, whether it’s a no‑tech communication board or flipbook, a mid‑tech option, or a high‑tech tool like an iPad with a communication app, it can feel overwhelming at first. The tool sits on the counter. You’re not always sure when to use it. You might worry that changing something will “mess it up.” And honestly? Your family is just trying to get through dinner. When AAC tools are new, your chil

Posted by: Mimi Zimlich, M.S., PPS, UDL/AT Content Lead, Open Access Photo by Wix You’re sitting at a school meeting, and someone mentions assistive technology (AT). Maybe your child is already using speech-to-text. Maybe the team is discussing a reading support tool. Maybe you’ve heard about visual schedules or organization apps being tried in class. You nod, but inside you’re wondering: What does this actually look like during the school day? Is it really helping? How c

Photo by Wix Posted by: Emily DesJardins, M.A, UDL/AT Content Lead Since taking on the role of UDL Content Lead with Open Access, Universal Design for Learning has become a framework I engage with deeply every day. I’ve long resonated with UDL ideas, but in this role, I’ve been able to explore specific considerations in detail and understand why they are essential for human learning. Engaging with these concepts professionally has naturally influenced how I think about parent

Posted by: Mimi Zimlich, M.S., PPS, UDL/AT Content Lead, Open Access Photo by Wix When we talk about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), we might imagine a wide, smooth road that welcomes every learner, a road built with flexibility, options, and access in mind. But sometimes, even with a thoughtfully designed road, a few barriers remain. The path is clear for some learners but uneven for others. This is where Assistive Technology (AT) comes in. AT can be the bridge that con

Posted by: Emily DesJardins, M.A., SpED, UDL/AT Content Lead, Open Access Photo by Emily DesJardins As I approached the trailhead, two hours after the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class had begun their weekly Forest Friday adventure, I couldn’t help but wonder how I’d ever find them in such a vast stretch of forest. Still, I trusted my instincts and followed the main path. A few minutes in, I reached a fork: three trails, three choices. I paused, unsure, then chose the wid

Posted by: Jennifer Wright, M.A. , CCC-SLP Photo by Open Access Every classroom includes a range of learners, each with their own ways of engaging, understanding, and expressing themselves. For students who are non-speaking or minimally speaking, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems may be used as part of their receptive and expressive language system. Supporting AAC users goes beyond ensuring they have tools and strategies available; it’s about designing

Posted by: Dr. Laurie Balsano Wright, Coordinator & Leah Padilla, Coordinator, Open Access Photo by Wix Across California, school systems...

Posted by: Emily DesJardins, M.A, SpED, UDL Content Lead, Open Access Photo by Wix One of the most important aspects of Universal Design...