Technology and UDL Affinity Group
Affinity Group Co-Facilitators
Lori Cooney, MEd
Program Director, Inclusive Education & Curriculum Design, and Universal Design Specialist
Olivia Hester
Research Assistant Professor, University of Alabama
Don McMahon
Associate Professor of Special Education, Washington State University
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Featured Resources
Member Links
Welcome to the Think College Technology & UDL Affinity Group.
The purpose of the Affinity Group is to support members to:
- Learn about technology and universal design for learning to support inclusive higher education
- Connect with educators, curriculum designers, technology specialists and others
- Explore possible collaborations, and share tools and resources.
This Affinity Group is designed for people who are interested in using technology and universal design for learning to support students of all abilities in higher education settings. The activities of the group will include discussion and demonstration of new and emerging technologies and techniques, review of existing apps, software, and programs, and whatever other activities the group desires. Current research and practice will be interspersed in the agenda, and discussion of best practice will be the foundation of the group.
Meeting Schedule
Meeting Links
Zoom link for all meetings. Please register to attend one or all of our upcoming meetings.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
June 15, 2023, 3-4 pm ET
- Topic: Technology skills that all students should know when entering college
September 21, 2023, 3-4 pm ET
- Topic: Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) with students with ID
Past Meetings
Internet Safety
Date: December 15, 2022
Summary: Maria Garcia from Washington State University presented on internet safety for college students with intellectual disability.
Apps for Transition Independence
Date: September 15, 2022
Summary: The group discussed apps for transition independence with a focus on transportation and safety. Some of the things discussed were Google My Maps, campus transportation apps, Lyft, Uber, Tinder, and Moonlight as a safety backup for Tinder.
Program Approaches to Technology and Digital Literacy
Date: May 12, 2022
Summary: Group discussion of strategies to support students to learn day to day technology, such as digital calendars, two-factor authentication, task and reminder lists, ride share apps, etc.
Resources Links
Voice in Voice Typing
Simple In and Out App
Digital Literacy Assessment
Communication Apps/Sites 10-minute Demos
Date: March 3, 2022
Resource Links
Read & Write slides
Read & Write website
click2speech
Otter
Text Compactor
Accessible Communication
Date: January 13, 2022
Presenter: Elizabeth Stewart, Ph.D., ATP is a Solutions Consultant for Tobii Dynavox specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Resource Links
TD Snap
TD Talk
Assistive Touch on iOS
Communication and Collaboration Tools
Date: November 4, 2021
Summary: VR Demo and chat, Mindmapping with Google Mindmaps, "almost in-person" meetings with Kumospace
Resource Links
Using Google My Maps for Student Supports (video demo)
Let's Get "Unstuck"
Date: September 30, 2021
Presenters: Ela Ben-Hur, founder of the Innovators Compass and assistant adjunct professor at Olin College; Hillary Goldthwait-Fowles, Assistive Technology Specialist, consultant, and adjunct professor