Welcome to Episode 135 of the Think UDL podcast: Nothing Without Us with Amy Lomellini. Dr. Amy Lomellini is the Product Accessibility Lead at Anthology. She leverages her personal and professional experiences to help bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to the accessibility of Anthology’s array of educational technology products and solutions. She has experience as an instructional designer and an associate director of online learning. She teaches related courses and chairs several accessibility committees, including Anthology’s Accessibility Workstream. She holds a doctorate in educational technology and her research and publications focus on accessible and inclusive online course design strategies. In today’s episode, Amy and I talk about her experience as an online learner, educator and as an advocate for accessible and inclusive education. We discuss how disability culture has impacted and might shape online education and visions for the future of online education.
A side note, I was able to record this interview in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September of 2024 which devastated Western North Carolina where I live. I did not have power, water or internet access at my home podcast studio, but was able to go somewhere that did. If the audio quality is not up to the same standard as previous episodes, it is because I was not using my usual podcasting equipment. However, having this conversation was an immediate balm to my soul and helped mend a bit of a broken heart over the recent destruction all around me. I hope you find it as hopeful and mending as I did.