Director Product Management

Understood.org unveils "Zero Reject," a limited-series podcast investigating threats to special education in the United States. Sep 29, 2026, 09:00 ET * On June 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education began the process of dismantling itself and shifting oversight of special education between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. * In the 2020-21 school year, 8.4 million public school students had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan - 17% of all public school students.[1] * The first two episodes of "Zero Reject" launched September 29, with new episodes dropping weekly. NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Understood.org, a nonprofit supporting people navigating neurodivergence, announced the launch of "Zero Reject: The Uncertain Future of Special Education," a new limited-series investigative podcast. Hosted by award-winning education journalist Anya Kamenetz, the series examines what families endure to secure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and what's at stake now that the Department of Education began the process of dismantling itself and shifting oversight of special education to other federal agencies. "Special education is not just a family issue. It is a civil right," said Kamenetz. "A free public education is every child's right, and it's our nation's loss when any child is not enabled to achieve their goals. So many parents told me the same thing: Even when they know the law is on their side, getting appropriate and quality education still feels like a lonely, uphill fight." The series' title, "Zero Reject," refers to a principle protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law guarantees that no child can be denied a public education because of their disability or behavioral challenges, no matter how severe. IDEA protects students with a wide range of needs, including physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. That includes conditions like ADHD, dyslexia and autism. Across six 30-minute episodes, Kamenetz combines investigative reporting with firsthand stories of parents and educators navigating the education system, plus insights from advocates and policymakers working to change it. Along the way, "Zero Reject" examines the civil rights history behind today's protections, recent shifts in federal policy, and how emerging technology is shaping what comes next for special education. In a new survey of parents, Understood.org found that more than half (52%) didn't know special education oversight has moved to a different federal agency. Most expect real consequences: 73% of parents believe the changes will affect the quality of their child's education, and 44% expect that impact to be significant. For parents of children with IEPs or 504 plans, this rises to 87%, with more than half (54%) expecting the impact to be significant. "Advocating for your child's rights has always been hard. Now, policy changes and the challenge of finding clear, reliable information make it even harder," said Laura Key, vice president of content strategy at Understood.org. "Anya knows how to dig into complex issues and make sense of them in a clear, approachable way - which is core to the work we do at Understood. We're grateful to have Anya report on the obstacles people face in navigating the system, and explore opportunities to make the system work better for everyone." "Zero Reject" builds on Understood's commitment to supporting families with neurodivergent children. This includes its new interactive "IEP Guide for Parents," which breaks down the Individualized Education Program process so parents can advocate for their child with confidence. Parents can subscribe to "Understood News" for ongoing updates on topics related to neurodivergence, including special education. They can also chat with the "Understood Assistant," an AI-powered tool built on expert-reviewed guidance. The first two episodes are now available, and new episodes will drop weekly through October 27, 2026. Subscribe to "Zero Reject" on all major listening platforms. Survey Methodology The survey was conducted by Understood.org from July 27 to August 5, 2026, among 495 parents and guardians of children ages 18 or younger, recruited from a nationally representative online panel through Qualtrics, with parents of children with IEPs or 504 plans overrepresented relative to the general population. Full methodology available here. About Understood.org Understood.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps people who are navigating neurodivergence find clarity and take the next step. We translate trusted knowledge about ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence into clear guidance, practical tools, and community support for over 20 million people each year. Everything we do is grounded in research, informed by experts, and shaped by lived experience. For more information, to donate, or to partner, visit u.org/media and follow us @UnderstoodOrg About Anya Kamenetz Anya Kamenetz is an award-winning journalist, author and podcaster. She covered education for many years including for NPR, where she co-created the podcast "Life Kit: Parenting." Her last book was "The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now." Kamenetz is currently an advisor to the Climate Mental Health Network, working on new initiatives at the intersection of children, well-being, education and climate change. Her next book, forthcoming from Bloomsbury in 2027, is about mental health and emotional resilience in a world of crisis. Her newsletter on these topics is "The Golden Hour." SOURCE Understood for All, Inc.

Redesigning summer: Understood.org and Radio Flyer join forces to make play accessible for every kid. June 23, 2026 Pediatricians and researchers have long known that play is essential to a child's development. And summer is the perfect time to take that fun outside. But it's harder for families whose kids are neurodivergent or who have disabilities. Outdoor activities can quickly feel overwhelming and inaccessible. Making sure kids with developmental differences get to play outdoors can be exhausting. It requires a lot more planning, supervision, and adaptation from families. That may help explain why parents of kids with neurodevelopmental needs - like ADHD - face up to twice the rate of mental health challenges compared to parents of neurotypical kids. The world is more stressful to navigate because it wasn't built with their kids in mind. This summer, Radio Flyer and Understood.org are teaming up to change that by bringing the thrill of riding to more kids than ever before. The collaboration combines Radio Flyer's 100-plus year legacy of innovation with Understood's neurodiversity expertise. The goal? To make the joy of riding accessible to every single kid. The power of universal design. This partnership is rooted in universal design. That's the idea that when you design for kids with physical and neurodevelopmental needs, you create better experiences for all kids. Leveraging research and insights from Understood, Radio Flyer integrated thoughtful, accessible features into three of its iconic products to better support parents of neurodivergent kids and those with disabilities. All while maintaining the fun look families love. "Through our partnership with Understood.org, we reimagined the design for our stroller wagon, stroller trike, and Cyclone to be more inclusive and functional for families," said Micki Grover, MSc, design researcher at Radio Flyer. "By embedding accessibility features directly into the product, we've created a more seamless ride experience and lowered the day-to-day mental load for parents." "We're excited to team up with Radio Flyer on this impactful initiative, which reinforces our shared belief that outdoor play shouldn't be a privilege, it should be a right. Every kid deserves the chance to pedal, coast, and explore this summer," said Jennifer Spindler, MSEd, MPhil, director of interdisciplinary research at Understood. From left to right: Radio Flyer Cyclone, Coast Folding Stroller Trike, and Voya XT Quad Stroller Wagon. From insights to re-inventions. Radio Flyer bridged the gap between research and product design by identifying the specific physical and neurodevelopmental barriers kids face when using their products, considering their most pressing social, emotional, and physical needs. With expert-backed guidance from Understood, they curated three product innovations: * Radio Flyer Cyclone, now built for longevity: Research shows that neurodivergent kids and those with disabilities often form strong, emotional attachments to their favorite toys and products. They rely on them for routine and comfort for a long time. With this in mind, Radio Flyer focused on enhanced durability by strengthening the Cyclone's wheel connections. This will help ensure that a beloved toy stays in play for years. * Voya XT Quad Stroller Wagon, reimagined as a sensory safe haven: Chaotic outdoor environments can quickly trigger sensory overload. Understood's research highlighted the need for a dedicated space where kids can retreat and self-regulate. While the Quad Stroller Wagon was originally built for large families, an adjustable seating configuration on the 2.0 version now makes it the perfect homebase for a child with sensory sensitivities. * Coast Folding Stroller Trike, adapted for stamina: For kids with physical or developmental differences, stamina can impact how long they can play. Research showed that a hard, concave seat can cause kids to tire quickly. So the trike was fitted with a firmer, structured seat and an adjustable harness. This ergonomic support helps kids pedal comfortably without exhausting themselves. "These Radio Flyer products are designed with disability in mind, which creates a supportive, inclusive experience for all kids," said Andrew Kahn, PsyD, licensed psychologist and associate director of expertise and strategic design at Understood. "Good design solves a problem, but great design ensures that no kid is left out of enjoying the summer." Reclaiming the simple joys of making memories outside. Together, Radio Flyer and Understood are making sure that more kids can ride and play. Through Radio Flyer's Fearless Flyers program, families of kids with special needs can access the gear they need more easily and affordably. Qualified families receive a 25% discount on products. To learn more and to sign up, visit Fearless Flyers. Ready to start shopping? Find your perfect ride at RadioFlyer.com, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.