by Patricia K. Ralabate, Ed.D., Director of the National UDL
Center, and David Gordon, Director of Communications at CAST and
co-editor of A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning
(with Jenna W. Gravel and Laura A. Schifter, Harvard Education
Press, 2009). This post is adapted from disability.gov’s
disability.blog. In reading and reflecting on Disability.Blog’s
No Boundaries Employment Series, we are inspired by the many
stories of individuals who have overcome tremendous barriers to
enjoy meaningful and productive careers. And we know that
meaningful careers begin with excellent education for everyone –
a “no boundaries” education. The aspiration to expand learning
opportunities for all individuals is gaining ground in education
policy, practice, and research through the growing field of
universal design for learning (UDL). As Harvard Law School Dean
and civil rights champion Martha L. Minow has written,
“Universal design for learning is one of the few big and truly
transformative ideas to emerge in