Paul, Ringo, John, and George sang that they didn’t want to change the world. I do. Could it be taking a UDL approach with one transition student or arguing persuasively in UDL’s behalf to a single administrator? Sure. But I’m not one to think small. I believe that change coupled with positive results has contagious appeal. My goal is to take what I have learned during the institue and incoporate it into my conversations, my workplace, and my writing and watch the ripple effect. (Sometimes, ripples are caused by fish gasping for oxygen on a cloudy day beneath the surface of the water. In this case, I’m referring to the kind of ripple a happy, enthusiastic kid skims across the pond, gleefully learning what happens in the process, and then running to tell all of her friends to come and give it a try, too).

The first population I plan to introduce to the skimming stone phase of “Peggy’s UDL-On-The- Loose” project, would be my post-secondary students on the Autism spectrum. I’m fascinated by the challenge Susanne presented that would involve research and action linking Vodcasts to functional life skills instruction. And this just doesn’t address supermarket tasks or mobility training (i.e. how to use the supermarket self-service aisle, cross a street wwith multiple points of traffic, etc). I foresee endless possiblities involving higher level executive functioning skills as well, the nemesis of many college students on and off the spectrum. Because UDL is not a proprietary secret shared only among the special ed community or assistive techies. We’re talking the world here. Everybody join in.

That leads me to Leyla’s vision, that she shared with the class. Namely, to expand distance learning opportunities to the deaf community. From there, I had the pleasure of joining a collaborative effort with Leyla as my partner. We came up with the idea of a “digital inlet” to establish the groundwork for greater participation on the web for deaf individuals, those who are deaf/blind, and those with Usher’s Syndrome. Somehow, the Institute made ideas seem workable because of the training it provided in constructing action plans. So my hope is to continue to maintain a working relationship with Leyla that becomes a Community of Practice surrounding the d-inlet.net. Imagine how worldwide connectivity for not only these special populations, but their famlies, peers, business associates and more would have an incredible ripple effect at evey level of society! Leyla, count me in! Let’s do it!

I will glady be an ambassador for UDL. But that will require considerable personal investment of time and “Benjamins” (thank you Group 2 – Joe, Jen and Arvette for the hip terminology…to help make this post a little less frumply). That’s the beauty of immersion. It really helps us all discover our interests and strengths and desire to put them to maximum use. So looks like I’ll be heading back to DC if all goes well to add a few more credentials to my tool kit so that I am better prepared to move the “Peggy’s UDL-On-The- Loose” Project forward exponentially in the years ahead.

Thank you to the course staff for the learning and the laughs and the INSPIRATION and to all of my coursemates for making this week a fantasic working vaction with some of the most engaging, fun-loving, and dedicated individuals I could hope to meet. It was a capitol experience!

Peggy