Margaret Ann Coyne
Since joining the Center for Applied Special Technology (now known as CAST) as its first full time staff member in 1987, I witnessed first-hand the birth of UDL. I helped develop innovative research models of UDL and provided professional learning opportunities to thousands of educators, librarians, technologists, and parents throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. While at CAST, I served as Project Director on U.S. Department of Education grants (IES, OSEP) focused on literacy and students with all abilities. My research has been published in refereed journals including Remedial and Special Education, and I recently contributed to a chapter on UDL and literacy in the updated, Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom, second edition. I presented annually at national and international conferences. Now retired, I provide as needed consultation work to non-profit organizations as well as to educational publishing companies. My next professional venture is to use the UDL guidelines to support educators and parents as they read to their pre-school-aged children. I hold a Master’s Degree in Special Education and an Ed.D. in Literacy and Language.
The thrill of being present at the inception of UDL was profound. Although officially retired, the belief that educators ultimately develop and design better learning opportunities for all students, when they consider those on the margins, remains at the heart of my desire to write this book. Every educator should have access to the knowledge and tools that UDL provides with their goal of ensuring every student succeeds.
The thrill of being present at the inception of UDL was profound. Although officially retired, the belief that educators ultimately develop and design better learning opportunities for all students, when they consider those on the margins, remains at the heart of my desire to write this book. Every educator should have access to the knowledge and tools that UDL provides with their goal of ensuring every student succeeds.