UDL Now!

UDL Now! Books

Praise for UDL Now!

“Exceptionally well written, impressively 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, offering a complete course of instruction in a single 196 page volume, this new third edition of ‘UDL Now!: A Teacher's Guide to Applying Universal Design for Learning’ will have a very special appeal and value to anyone with an interest in Special Education and Inclusive Education.”

- Midwest Book Review, September 2023

"Katie can take a complicated idea and make it attainable and accessible for everyone. She makes you feel empowered and confident in your ability to make a difference every day."

- George Couros, author of The Innovator’s Mindset and Innovate Inside the Box

"Katie Novak’s well-articulated know-how about how to put UDL into practice has helped many thousands of educators. ... She can describe what she does without evaporating the awe, the joy, the sublimity of what great teaching is really like."

- David H. Rose, Ed.D, Founder of CAST and of the UDL Guidelines

“What Katie Novak does so well is model the benefits of Universal Design for Learning in her writing. It is accessible, it is helpful, and it is a clear manifesto on how UDL serves all learners, ultimately supporting their growth in and out of the school environment. If you need to read one book on UDL, this is it!”

– A.J. Juliani, author of Adaptable, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller

“Katie is such a force, and this latest edition of UDL Now is more evidence of how she is changing education for the better. She has such a magical way of making the abstract accessible and reminds us about the critical importance of how UDL can increase equity and inclusion in all of our classrooms and schools. This new edition tackles new and current questions and has managed once again to show us how UDL can be manageable. I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Read this now!”

–  Shelley Moore, Canadian educator and special education expert

“Whether you are skeptical or motivated about UDL, this book has something for you. In this updated version, Katie pulls each reader into a journey of discovery, design and delight. I love the anecdotes, the transparency, and the invitation to revise. Katie has equipped every reader to face ourselves by modeling the characteristics of an expert learner and giving us the inspiration to do the same. Brilliant!”

– Andratesha Fritzgerald, author of Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning

“UDL Now brilliantly weaves together stories, research, and complementary frameworks that are crucial to ensuring all learners thrive in our modern world. Katie delivers practical tips for how to address beliefs, skills, and strategies, and systems to ensure you can design learning experiences for the variability in your classroom and support each learner to navigate their unique path. This is a must read for every educator!“

– Katie Martin, author of Evolving Education: Shifting to a Learner-Centered Paradigm, and Chief Impact Officer at the Learner-Centered Collaborative

“Katie Novak is not only an incredible educator, she's an incredible learner. The third edition of UDL Now! brings together everything that Katie has learned since she wrote the first edition. Jam-packed with fresh tips, tools, and strategies, this book will help any educator who knows that, as Katie writes we have a ‘moral imperative of designing and delivering instruction that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.’ Whether you are learning on your own, with your PLC, or as a school, UDL Now! provides a comprehensive book that will help shift our minds and excite and empower our students. Furthermore, any instructional leader will move their school forward by incorporating this resource with their faculty.” 

- Henry J. Turner, EdD, school principal and co-author of Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School

“Katie Novak has done it again! She has delivered an accessible, timely, and solution-rich resource to help educators implement Universal Design for Learning in classrooms and schools. Her book moves beyond the theoretical to provide clear and concrete explanations and strategies to help educators remove barriers and support students in becoming expert learners. With this comprehensive update, Katie shows what it takes today and tomorrow to ensure equal opportunity for learners of all backgrounds.”

– Catlin R. Tucker, EdD, author, blended learning expert, and former teacher of the year in Sonoma County, California

“Innovative topic + practical strategies + joyful writing = an inspiring masterpiece! Wow, I loved it! UDL Now! is the essential guide to evolving beyond one-size-fits-all to design learning experiences where each learner can thrive and flourish academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. Dr. Novak brings research and theory to life through captivating analogies, stories, and examples, empowering us to unlock the power and promise of UDL. If you are ready to cultivate authentic learning communities and design inclusive, accessible, and engaging lessons, this book is for you! I cannot recommend it enough!”

– Lainie Rowell, educator, TEDx speaker, and lead author of Evolving Learner: Shifting from Professional Development to Professional Learning from Kids, Peers, and the World

“Katie Novak hits it out of the park with UDL Now! Just when you think you knew UDL, you read her book and there are so many new and fresh ideas. Katie has a way of turning theory into practice with her powerful anecdotes, compelling visuals, and rich research-based content. Wherever you are in your education journey, there are so many ideas, examples, and practical applications that can be implemented for all educators!”

– Nathan Lang-Raad,EdD, coauthor of The Boundless Classroom Designing Purposeful Instruction for Any Learning Environment

“UDL Now is the book for every educator seeking to understand UDL and how to best provide for all students. Throughout the book, Katie provides research, guidelines for implementation, solid strategies, and reflective questions, to support educators as they bring  UDL into their practice. In this new edition, she guides us to understand the connection between UDL and equity and how to best provide authentic, meaningful, and relevant learning that meets the needs and interests of all students. Katie knows how to tell a story and relate to educators in a way that offers instant reassurance and support. Whether you hear her speak or read her work, you will be inspired to do whatever it takes for students. UDL Now is a must-read for every educator wanting to empower all students in learning.”

– Rachelle Dené Poth, Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technologies teacher, and past-president of ISTE’s Teacher Education Network