Access by Default: Why UDL Helps Everyone in Your Firm

The September 2026 Neurodivergent Planners Knowledge Circle will be held on Wednesday, September 23rd at 12 pm ET.

Guest speaker Kimberly Watkins will be presenting, "Access by Default: Why UDL Helps Everyone in Your Firm."

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) started in classrooms, but its core idea is to design spaces that incorporate flexibility from the start to accommodate everyone's needs. This session covers practical UDL strategies neurodivergent planners can use to advocate for what they need, and that firms can adopt to make work better for the whole team.

Kimberly Watkins, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics at The University of Georgia. Her research interests are financial well-being of marginalized populations and DEI in the financial planning profession. Dr. Watkins has published her research in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Financial Planning, the Journal of Family and Economic Issues, the Journal of Financial Therapy, and Financial Planning Review. Her work has been recognized by the Academy of Financial Services, the American Council on Consumer Interests, and the Financial Therapy Association. As a neurodiverse individual, she strongly believes in making spaces where everyone can thrive and feel that they belong.