Universal Design

Cover All Your Bases

When was the last time you used:

AS YOU STEP UP TO THE PLATE, CONSIDER…

CURB CUT

AUTOMATIC DOOR

CLOSED-CAPTIONING

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR/TABLE

They are examples of Universal Design in

architecture.

WHAT DO THOSE ITEMS HAVE IN COMMON?

According to Ron Mace of NC State University:

“the idea behind Universal Design in architecture is to create structures that are conceived, designed, and constructed to accommodate the widest spectrum of users, including those with disabilities, without the need for subsequent adaptation or specialized design.”

Source: Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning, by Rose and Meyer.

LET’S DEFINE IT:

Take the concept of Universal Design for architecture and plug it into the realm of instructi on.

Universal Design for Instructi on (UDI) means:

“No, UDI is not a synonym for ‘one size fits all’ instruction. The principles of UDI are designed to support faculty in creating courses that accommodate a wide spectrum of student needs.”

Source: Scott , S., McGuire, J.M., & Embry, P. (2002). Universal design for instructi on fact sheet. Storrs: University of Connecti cut, Center on Postsecondary Educati on and Disability .

LET’S THROW THAT BALL ONTO A DIFFERENT FIELD

True or False?

You have students in your classroom or work area who:

_____ have a variety of academic abiliti es._____ have a wide range of academic goals._____ have diff erent educati onal experiences._____ have diff erent backgrounds._____ have diff erent learning styles._____ may or may not be profi cient in English._____ might have a learning disability or ADHD._____ are used to instructi on at diff erent paces.

WHY IS UDI IMPORTANT IN A CLASSROOM?

True or False?

You have students in your classroom or work area who:

TRUE have a variety of academic abiliti es .TRUE have a wide range of academic goals .TRUE have diff erent educati onal experiences .TRUE have diff erent backgrounds .TRUE have diff erent learning styles .TRUE may or may not be profi cient in English .TRUE might have a learning disability or ADHD .TRUE are used to instructi on at diff erent paces .

WHY IS UDI IMPORTANT IN A CLASSROOM?

UDI is designed with accessibility in mind from the beginning.

Will it take longer to design your instructional materials to include the diverse learners in your class?

Maybe, but…

WHY IS UDI IMPORTANT IN A CLASSROOM?

If you need to address accessibility in the middle of a semester, then you’ll need much more ti me and eff ort to go back and make everything more accessible.

“Retrofi tti ng”:Takes more ti me when you don’t have more ti me to

giveMay be a cumbersome and tedious processCould interrupt learning for some studentsNot the best use of your ti me

WHY IS UDI IMPORTANT IN A CLASSROOM?

In order to reach the widest, most diverse group of students, UDI means you should incorporate:

1. Multi ple means of representi ng concepts

2. Multi ple means for students to express their knowledge and for you to assess their learning

3. Multi ple means for students to become engaged in learning

UDI CALLS FOR

PLAY BALL!

In ORI 102, students are required to complete an academic planning chart

that lists all classes they need to take—in what order and when—for their

degree.

CONSIDER THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

What are the “multiple means of representing the concept” of the academic planning chart to the class?

CONSIDER THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

What are the multiple means for students to express their knowledge/for you to assess their learning about the academic planning chart?

CONSIDER THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

What are the multiple means for students to become engaged in learning about the academic planning chart?

CONSIDER THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

Student who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing and needs to watch and respond to a video online/through Angel with no closed-capti oning

Student who is blind, has MAT 020, and must complete and submit homework online (or use any of the My Lab or Mastering products)

Student who has severe dyslexia and must take the Compass placement test

SOME EXAMPLES OF NOT USING UDI

Pair with a partner and find specific ways you could incorporate Universal Design for Instruction in a specific class that you teach (or area where you work).

Complete the handout.

Let’s discuss.

HOW COULD YOU USE UDI?

Thank you for attending!

Universal Design

Cover All Your Bases

For More Information

www.cast.org

www.cped.uconn.edu

Rose, David and Anne Meyer. Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2002.