In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with educator and inclusive literacy expert Jennifer Orr to explore how early learning, empathy, and universal design create meaningful access for every child. Jennifer shares her journey as both an educator and parent, the research behind her multisensory Eyewords approach, and how designing instruction with intention transforms confidence and belonging. Together, they discuss literacy gaps, parent–school collaboration, and why inclusion must begin before the first lesson is taught. This conversation empowers families, educators, and advocates to create learning environments where every child can thrive.
Key Takeaways:
Universal Design First — Inclusion is strongest when accessibility is built into instruction from the beginning, not added after students struggle.
Empathy in Action — Understanding a child’s barriers allows educators to design learning that meets real needs instead of assuming lack of ability.
Multisensory Literacy — Eyewords uses visual, auditory, movement, and play-based methods to strengthen neural pathways for decoding and fluency.
Parent–School Partnership — When families and educators work as a team, children experience more consistent and confident reading support.
Play Drives Learning — Engagement, fun, and movement must stay central to structured literacy or many learners will disconnect.
Jennifer Orr’s definition of inclusion:
Inclusion means intentionally designing environments where every learner can access, participate and feel valued by building in accessibility from the very beginning.
Jennifer Orr’s Bio:
Jennifer Orr is an award-winning educator with over 27 years of exemplary service in the field of education. With a distinguished career as a classroom teacher, special education and ELL specialist, and system leader, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to nurturing academic excellence and inclusivity. Her expertise in early childhood education (grades K-3) has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative, evidence-based strategies that support diverse learners.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has been a leader in advancing inclusive education. She has dedicated herself to designing and promoting effective instructional practices that address the unique needs of multilingual students, ensuring they receive the support necessary to thrive academically. Her influential work and research in the field of multisensory phonics has shaped policies and practices that benefit all learners.
As a passionate researcher and international speaker, Jennifer is the founder of Eyewords—an initiative committed to creating multisensory phonemic literacy materials specifically tailored for English Language Learners. Eyewords supports foundational literacy by providing cutting-edge resources that empower educators to build strong foundational reading skills fostering academic success in diverse classroom settings.
Connect with Jennifer Orr:
Website: https://www.eyewords.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyewordslearning
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyewordslearning
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-orr-eyewords
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eyewords4565
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eyewordslearning
SPAM© Count:
Host:
Yes
Current Guest:
Yes
Cumulative Guest Stats:
Yes - 67
No - 91
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