UDL and Accessibility
Rob Power
What is UDL?
So… what exactly is Universal Design for Learning? And how can it help us to create accessible learning opportunities with technology? The following figure presents the three primary domains of UDL, and the general instructional design considerations for the domains of Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression.
Videos
As Katie Novak explains, UDL isn’t just another name for differentiated learning. While differentiated learning entails creating different pathways for specific students based on their unique needs, UDL helps us to anticipate the range of needs of all of our learners, so that we can help them all feel welcome and be able to engage in learning to their fullest.
Novak Educational Consulting (2021, January 8). What is UDL? [Video].
In this video, CAST (2010), which developed the UDL framework, provides another overview of just what UDL is.
CAST (2010, January 6). UDL At A Glance. [Video].
While it is a bit of an older one, in the following video, David Rose explains how UDL does not mean designing for the average learner. Rather, it means designing learning to meet the widest range of learners and their needs.
National Center on Universal Design for Learning (2010, March 17). UDL: Principles and Practice. [Video].
In this more recent video, Skip Stahl talks about the “intersection between UDL and Accessibility.”
UDL on Campus (2015, October 6). Accessibility and UDL. [Video].
Shorter Reads
Skip Stahl’s discussion on Accessibility and UDL can be found along with more resources on UDL on Campus’ (n.d.) About UDL web page.
- UDL On Campus by CAST. (n.d.). About UDL. UDL in higher education. http://udloncampus.cast.org/page/udl_about
Learning and technology specialist Matt Bergman (2024) recently shared an infographic via X (formerly Twitter) to present a flowchart on how to plan lessons with UDL in mind.
- Bergman, M. [@mattberman14]. (2024, March 9). Teachers often ask me, “How do you plan a UDL lesson?” I created the following flowchart to help with. [Post]. X.com. https://twitter.com/mattbergman14/status/1766440020573827410?t=_caCfyoQztB0WzuJ-97jmw&s=19
Longer Reads
Of course, you can go right to the source to learn more about the UDL framework from the CAST (2018b) UDL website.
- Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (2018b). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (Version 2.2). https://udlguidelines.cast.org
CAST (2018b) also provides a useful Graphic Organizer.
- Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (2018a). UDL Graphic Organizer. [PDF file]. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/binaries/content/assets/udlguidelines/udlg-v2-2/udlg_graphicorganizer_v2-2_numbers-no.pdf
And, Gierdowski and Galanek (2020) discusses recent research into UDL and the technology needs of students with disabilities.
- Gierdowski, D. C., & Galanek, J. (2020, June 1). ECAR study of the technology needs of students with disabilities, 2020 (Research report). Educause. https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-the-technology-needs-of-students-with-disabilities/2020/introduction-and-key-findings
Longer Videos
I was fortunate to welcome to of my colleagues from Cape Breton University as guest presenters for a webinar session with a group of advanced instructional design students last year, and they’ve graciously allowed me to reshare their presentations. Dr. Lynn LeVatte is an assistant professor with the Education Department in the School of Education and Health at Cape Breton University. She is actively involved with several community organizations including the Cape Breton Down Syndrome Society and the CBU Inclusive program. Her research interests include inclusive education, health promotion and wellness, professional development and Down Syndrome. Her presentation was on “Uncovering UDL: Engaging All Abilities in Your Inclusive Classroom.”
Power, R. (2024, March 9). Uncovering UDL – Engaging All Abilities in Your Inclusive Classroom (Dr Lynn LeVatte). [Video].
Melissa Bishop is an Assistant Professor of Education with the School of Education and Health at Cape Breton University. Her research focuses on curricular reform, leveraging digital technologies, and narrative methodological approaches. Melissa presented on “UDL in Virtual Learning Environments.”
Power, R. (2024, March 9). Uncovering UDL – UDL in Virtual Learning Environments (Melissa Bishop). [Video].
References
Bergman, M. [@mattberman14]. (2024, March 9). Teachers often ask me, “How do you plan a UDL lesson?” I created the following flowchart to help with. [Post]. X.com. https://twitter.com/mattbergman14/status/1766440020573827410?t=_caCfyoQztB0WzuJ-97jmw&s=19
CAST (2010, January 6). UDL At A Glance. [Video]. https://youtu.be/bDvKnY0g6e4
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (2018a). UDL Graphic Organizer. [PDF file]. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/binaries/content/assets/udlguidelines/udlg-v2-2/udlg_graphicorganizer_v2-2_numbers-no.pdf
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (2018b). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (Version 2.2) . https://udlguidelines.cast.org
UDL On Campus by CAST. (n.d.). About UDL. UDL in higher education. http://udloncampus.cast.org/page/udl_about
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). (n.d.). About Universal Design for Learning. https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl
Gierdowski, D. C., & Galanek, J. (2020, June 1). ECAR study of the technology needs of students with disabilities, 2020 (Research report). Educause. https://www.educause.edu/ecar/research-publications/ecar-study-of-the-technology-needs-of-students-with-disabilities/2020/introduction-and-key-findings
National Center on Universal Design for Learning (2010, March 17). UDL: Principles and Practice. [Video]. https://youtu.be/pGLTJw0GSxk
Novak Educational Consulting (2021, January 8). What is UDL? [Video]. https://youtu.be/eYN-qrKIIYI
Power, R. (2024, March 9). Uncovering UDL – Engaging All Abilities in Your Inclusive Classroom (Dr Lynn LeVatte). [Video]. https://youtu.be/4-TMOdFxg_8
Power, R. (2024, March 9). Uncovering UDL – UDL in Virtual Learning Environments (Melissa Bishop). [Video]. https://youtu.be/oqwjWEuHCAo
UDL on Campus (2015, October 6). Accessibility and UDL. [Video]. https://youtu.be/-i9aGm0TBu0
