Universal DesignImplementation into EducationJennifer Bird

What is Universal Design Universal Design is what is sounds like,

it is a design for products and environments that can be used by all people without the need for adaptation.

In plain English this means that the product or environment is accessible to all characteristics of people and can be used universally.

General Examples When designing a building, including

wheelchair accessibility. Or when designing a building, include

counters that are at a shorter height and some that are at an average height.

Even putting captions on TVs in public areas.

The 7 Principles Equitable use Flexibility in use Simple and intuitive Perceptible information Tolerance for error Low physical effort and lastly, size and space for approach

and use.

Implementation into Education Universal Design can be implemented and

has been implement into education, and a large portion is title Universal Design for Learning.

There are 3 guidelines for this type of universal design Having multiple means of representation Having multiple means of action and

expression Having multiple means of engagement

Implementation into Education Universal design for learning aims to

improve the narrow and fixed curriculum and create curricula that can be used on all types of learners; “average”, “disabled”, and “exceptional”.

They want to create an environment that allows everyone in the classroom to be able to participate and communicate with each other no matter what academic level they may be at.

Examples of Universal Design in the Classroom For instance a teacher when teaching multiplication

may choose to use a smart board to work examples and then print out notes for those who need it, then she may have the students use collaboration to work problems while other students work problems using hands on learning with blocks.

So you see teachers will need to be more creative in their lesson plans and curricula planning. Special educators will have to work with general educators to focus the needs of students. But on a plus side they will not have to spend so much time on alternative formats!!

References Sheryl Burgstahler, 2012, A goal and a process that can be applied to

the design of any product or environment, University of Washington, http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Programs/ud.html

UDL Center, Mar. 2010, The UDL Guidelines Video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfsx3DGpv5o&feature=relmfu

UDL Center, Mar. 2010, Implementing UDL Video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3ardmq0a0&feature=relmfu

UDL Center, Mar. 2010, UDL: Principles and Practice Video, http://youtu.be/pGLTJw0GSxk

Delaware State Department of Education, Universal Design for Learning: Reaching All, Teaching All, http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED485470&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&accno=ED485470

Thanks to clip art for the images!