Every child thinks and learns differently, and this creates disparities among students in classroom settings. HEA, in collaboration with Chaminade University of Honolulu, is taking action to end educational inequities that prevent all children from reaching their full potential. Educators are invited to participate in person or virtually in a free series of seven sessions on universal design for learning (UDL) to be ready for the upcoming school year. Sessions begin on Wednesday, May 22, with subsequent sessions held every other Wednesday through August 7, 2024.
A Game-Changer for Educators
The sessions will be facilitated by Chaminade University of Honolulu faculty members Denise Dugan, PhD, assistant professor of special education and elementary education; and Christopher Padesky, PhD, assistant professor of education.
They are both involved with research on neurodiversity — the study of how each person’s unique brain functions and how they may be different from those with a “neurotypical” brain. UDL was developed for “neurodivergent” learners, particularly keiki diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia but is ideal for Hawaii’s diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment since students may approach life and challenges in the framework of their culture and English may be their second language.