1. Universal Design for Learning:
A framework for access and equity

2. “Consider the needs of the
broadest possible range of
users from the beginning”
- Ron Mace, Architect -

3. Civil Rights Legacy
• Not an
afterthought: Full
access is designed
from the outset
• More cost-effective
than retrofitting
• More elegant and
easy-to-use

4. UD examples
•Ramps
•Curb cuts
•Electric doors
•Closed-captioning
•Easy-grip tools

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Principles of UDL
Multiple
• means of
representation
• means of action
and expression
• means of
engagement

9. UDL Guidelines

10. Multiple Means of Representation
• Equivalent,
overlapping paths to
desired outcomes
• Scaffolding to build
background
knowledge
• Options available at
point of need

11. Multiple Means of Representation
Examples
• Read aloud
• Highlight phrases
• Listen to audio
• Text-to-speech
• Multimedia glossary
• Language translation tools

12. Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Variety of tools and
media
• Written response
• Verbal response
• Multimedia
response
• Dramatic response

13. Multiple Means of Action and Expression
Physical response
options
• Pencil, stylus, mouse
Expression options
• Choice of tools
Support tools
• Spellcheckers,
speech to text

14. 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

15. 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

16. UDL and Your Course
Options for:
• Representation
• Action & Expression
• Engagement
Consistent with attaining academic content
standards

17. Resources
Center for Applied Special Technology
www.cast.org
National Task Force on UDL
www.udl4all.org
IDEA Partnership Community of Practice - UDL
www.sharedwork.org
NEA Research Spotlight on UDL
http://www.nea.org/tools/
Center for Implementing Technology in Education
www.cited.org