30 Sept 2026
S3 E1 Accessible Learning by Design
In this episode of Disruptor Diaries, we explore how accessible and neuroinclusive learning design can transform healthcare education. Joined by guests Kerri Crowley and Carolyn Witt, we discuss moving beyond compliance to intentionally designing inclusive learning experiences that reduce barriers, foster belonging, and support the needs of all learners.
Key References
CAST. (2024). Universal Design for Learning guidelines version 3.0. https://udlguidelines.cast.org
Crowley, K., & Witt, A. (2025, June 18). Designing for inclusion: 6 ways to reach everyone when you're presenting. Association for Talent Development. https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/designing-for-inclusion-6-ways-to-reach-everyone-when-you-re-presenting
Crowley, K., & Witt, A. (2025). Present like everyone matters: 6 strategies for accessible webinar design. NPD in Motion. Association for Nursing Professional Development. https://www.anpd.org/NPD-In-Motion/Article/present-like-everyone-matters-6-strategies-for-accessible-webinar-design
Crowley, K., & Witt, A. (2026). Present like everyone matters: 6 strategies for accessible design [Webinar]. Association for Nursing Professional Development. https://learn.anpd.org/products/group-webinar-2026-recorded-anpdlippincott-webinar-present-like-everyone-matters-6-strategies-for-accessible-design
Dillon, J. D. (2024). The frontline enablement playbook: A practical guide to unlocking employee performance. Association for Talent Development.
Dunne, M. (2024). The neurodiversity edge: The essential guide to embracing autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences for any organization. Kogan Page.
Harper, M. G., & Maloney, P. (2022). Nursing professional development: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). Association for Nursing Professional Development.
International Association of Accessibility Professionals. (n.d.). Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC). IAAP. https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/cpacc
Kennedy, K. (2024). Developing reflective practice for learning and development professionals. ATD Press.
Mercier, S. (2024). Design for all learners: Create accessible and inclusive learning experiences. ATD Press.
World Wide Web Consortium. (2023). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/
Additional Resources
Austin, R. D., & Pisano, G. P. (2017). Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review, 95(3), 96–103.
Barbe, T., Kimble, L. P., & Rubenstein, C. (2018). Subjective cognitive complaints, psychosocial factors, and nursing work function in nurses providing direct patient care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74(4), 914–925. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13505
Boksem, M. A. S., & Tops, M. (2008). Mental fatigue: Costs and benefits. Brain Research Reviews, 59(1), 125–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.07.001
Brown, T., & Novick, R. (2022). Inclusive learning design in healthcare education. Routledge.
Burgstahler, S. (2024). Universal design in higher education: From principles to practice (3rd ed.). Harvard Education Press.
Campbell, A. A., Harlan, T., Campbell, M., Mulekar, M. S., & Wang, B. (2021). Nurse's Achilles heel: Using big data to determine workload factors that impact near misses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 53(3), 333–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12652
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. (n.d.). About universal design. National Disability Authority. https://universaldesign.ie/about-universal-design
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, October 24). Neurodivergent: What it is, symptoms & types. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent
Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750
Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., III, & Swanson, R. A. (2020). The adult learner (9th ed.). Routledge.
Mayer, R. E. (2021). Multimedia learning (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
O'Connor, J., Faulkner, D., O'Donnell, M., & Mace, R. (2022). Universal design: A conceptual framework. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10, 1–14.
Pohlmann, K., & Hill, A. M. (Eds.). (2025a). Neurodiversity in the workplace: Conceptual and practical considerations. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Pohlmann, M. R., & Hill, P. L. (2025b). Scoping review of neurodiversity in nursing workplaces. Research in Neurodiversity, 1, Article 100007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rin.2025.100007
Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15516709cog1202_4
Sweller, J., van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Paas, F. G. W. C. (2019). Cognitive architecture and instructional design: 20 years later. Educational Psychology Review, 31(2), 261–292.
The ND Alliance. (n.d.). What is neurodiversity? https://thendalliance.org/what-is-neurodiversity/
Zhang, Y., et al. (2024). Inclusive instructional design and learner engagement in professional education contexts. Journal of Learning Sciences, 33(2).
