Partnering for Success in Colleges/Universities: A Grass Roots

Approach to Infusing UDL

Dr. Bobbie J. AtkinsDr. Mari Guillermo

San Diego State University – Interwork Institute34th Annual AHEAD Conference

Project Higher Ed• Training & Focused Technical Assistance• Universal Design for Learning• Asset-Orientation• Scholar Program

Universal Design

“The design of products and environments to be usable by all

people without the need for adaptation or specialized design”

Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University

Is our physical environment welcoming to ALL students?

Design with All Users in Mind

What is Universal Design for Learning?

An approach to designing course instruction, materials, and content to make learning accessible to all students.

Universal Design vs. Universal Design for Learning

UD UDLPhysical Environment Instructional Environment

Physical barriers - architectural environment

Learning barriers - curricular environment

Proactive design of physical space

Proactive design of curriculum and instruction

Physical retrofitting - costly, often inelegant

Instructional accommodations - time consuming, difficult to

implement

The Scholar Program• Foundation• Recruitment• Formula• Process

UDL Scholar• Knowledgeable• Committed• Innovative• Active

A SPOTLIGHT ON THE SCHOLARS

9 Principles of Universal Design for Instruction(McGuire, Scott, Shaw, 2003)

Equitable Use• Curriculum design is useful and accessible to

students with diverse abilities.

Flexibility in Use• Curriculum design accommodates a wide

range of individual preferences and abilities.

Simple and Intuitive Use• Curriculum design is straightforward and

predictable. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.

Perceptible Information• Curriculum design communicates necessary

information effectively to the student regardless of student’s sensory abilities.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES FROM YOUR CAMPUS?

A Community of Learners• Curriculum design promotes interaction and

communication among students and between students and faculty.

THE IMPORTANCE OF UDL

Does One Size Really Fit All?

The “universal” in universal design does not imply that one size fits all;

instead, it stresses the need for flexible, customizable content,

assignments and activities.

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CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology)

Lessons from Our Scholars• Start with individual’s interests• Be flexible and allow autonomy• Foster Partnerships • Provide ongoing support

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Project Higher EducationSan Diego State University - Interwork Institute

This presentation was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, Grant #P333A080039.

However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and the audience should not assume endorsement

by the Federal Government.