In May 2025, during National Accessibility Week, the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Community of Practice Newfoundland and Labrador was proudly launched at Memorial University and online. Several members of the CARES Lab were involved in organizing and hosting the event, which brought together students, educators, community partners, and accessibility advocates who share a passion for creating inclusive, equitable, and engaging learning environments.
The launch featured a keynote presentation by Darla Benton Kearney (Mohawk College), whose work on UDL in postsecondary education sparked rich conversations about practical implementation and culture change. A panel discussion followed, highlighting local voices from across Newfoundland and Labrador who shared their lived experiences and strategies for inclusive teaching.
The UDL Community of Practice will host regular sessions throughout the year. Our first Fall event features an interactive workshop from the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation at the University of Toronto titled You Design Learning: Intentionally Designing with UDL. Participants will explore the UDL Guidelines 3.0 and dive into the three core principles of UDL: Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression. Three sessions are already planned for Fall 2025, and we invite educators, students, and community members to pre-register through the website.
Missed the launch? You can watch the full recording and explore upcoming sessions and resources at udlcopnl.ca.
📸 Photo Caption:
Members of the planning committee at the May 2025 launch event (left to right): Karen Rodriguez (School of Social Work), Israt Lipa (Department of Folklore), Dr. Ami Goulden (School of Social Work), Lynsey Soper-Thistle (School of Social Work), Stephanie Evans (NEADS), Sean Fardy (Faculty of Education), and seated in front, Jordan Hollohan (Department of Archaeology).