Universal Design for Learning:A framework for access and equity
“Consider the needs of the broadest possible range of users from the beginning”
- Ron Mace, Architect -
Civil Rights Legacy
• Not an afterthought: Full access is designed from the outset
• More cost-effective than retrofitting
• More elegant and easy-to-use
UD examples
•Ramps
•Curb cuts
•Electric doors
•Closed-captioning
•Easy-grip tools
Universal design for learning (UDL)
More ways to access…More ways to participate…More ways to demonstrate learning…
Resulting in more equitable access to…
the general education curriculum for ALL learners
Goals of UDL
“A scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice” ~Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008
• Improving access, participation & achievement
• Eliminating or reducing physical & academic barriers
• Valuing diversity through proactive design
Goals of UDL
“Barriers to learning are not, in fact, inherent in the capabilities of learners, but instead arise in learners’ interactions with inflexible educational goals, materials, methods, and assessments.”
~Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age, CAST, 2003
Principles of UDL
Multiple
• means of representation
• means of action and expression
• means of engagement
UDL Guidelines
Multiple Means of Representation
• Equivalent, overlapping paths to desired outcomes
• Scaffolding to build background knowledge
• Options available at point of need
Multiple Means of Representation
Examples
• Read aloud
• Highlight phrases
• Listen to audio
• Text-to-speech
• Multimedia glossary
• Language translation tools
Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Variety of tools and media
• Written response
• Verbal response
• Multimedia response
• Dramatic response
Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Physical response options
• Pencil, stylus, mouse
Expression options
• Choice of tools
Support tools
• Spellcheckers, speech to text
Multiple Means of Engagement
Tap into students’ interests and passions
Maximize relevance through performance tasks and authentic audience
Provide variety in cognitive demand, length of task, opportunities for collaboration
Multiple Means of Engagement
Real-world, authentic tasks
Choice in means of expression
Flexibility in use of tools to access information
Flexible grouping strategies
Gradual release of responsibility
UDL and Your Course
Options for:• Representation• Action & Expression• Engagement
Consistent with attaining academic content standards
Resources
Center for Applied Special Technology www.cast.org
National Task Force on UDLwww.udl4all.org
IDEA Partnership Community of Practice - UDL www.sharedwork.orgNEA Research Spotlight on UDL
http://www.nea.org/tools/Center for Implementing Technology in Education www.cited.org