1. Universal Design for Learning
Sharing Ideas, Building Resources
Linda Ray

2. Universal Access
What if all of the
knowledge in the world
was contained in a
building that you couldn’t
access?

3. Universal Design
Universal Design is the inspiration for Universal
Design for Learning.
The term “Universal Design” was coined by Ron Mace,
a fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
It began with making buildings accessible to all people
and turned into making learning accessible to all
people.

4. Universal Design
Universal Design in architecture is based on the following ideas:
•Disability is not a special condition of a few;
•It is ordinary and effects most of us for some part of
our lives;
•If a design works well for people with disabilities, it
works better for everyone;
•Usability and aesthetics are mutually compatible.
Adaptive Environments' statement on South Boston Waterfront redevelopment

5. Universal Design
For example, a ramp on a curb makes access possible for persons
in wheelchairs, but the ramp is also an easier means of access for
persons with strollers.
WOULD THE PREMISE OF UNIVERAL
DESIGN WORK IN EDUCATION?

6. Universal Design for Learning
“Students come to the classroom with a
variety of needs, skills, talents, interests
and diverse learning styles.”
(www.udl4allstudents.com)

7. Universal Design for Learning is
based on the following principles:
Provide multiple means of:
Expression
Presentation
Engagement
Working together to make learning possible

8. Presentation

9. Offer students a variety of ways to acquire knowledge:

10. When students
truly learn the
content, they will
be able to
recognize it later.
We all use a
certain part of
our brain for
recognition.

12. Expression
Every student doing the same thing. Every student doing something different.

13. Offer students a variety of ways to
express their learning.

14. When students
truly learn the
content, they can
express their
learning in a
number of ways.
We all use a
certain part of
our brain for
expression.

15. Engagement
A student with
Attention Deficit
Disorder needs
novelty to stay
motivated and
engaged.
A student with
Autism needs routine
to stay motivated and
engaged.

18. When students
are engaged and
interested, they
will learn.
We all use a
certain part of
our brain for
engagement.

19. Technology makes it
possible for teachers to
build flexibility into
curricular materials.
Technology offers flexibility
to display content differently
for each student.
Technology offers flexibility
in presenting ideas in
different ways.
Technology offers students
choices in expression.

20. Presentation:
 Podcasts
 PowerPoint
 Prezi
 Animoto
 Video
 Ebooks
 Elmo
Expression:
 Wikis
 Blogs
 Skype
 Weebly
 Voice Thread
 Movie Maker
 Web 2.0 tools
Engagement:
 Skype
 Edmodo
 Video
 Photography
 Audio
 Internet
 Gaming

21. How can UDL impact student learning in our school?

22. http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
http://www.udlcenter.org/
http://www.cast.org/
http://www.udlresource.com/

23. References
Universal Design . (n.d.). The center for an accessible society disability issues information. Retrieved
June 1, 2013, from http://www.accessiblesociety.org/topics/universaldesign/
CAST (2011). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.0. Wakefield, MA: Author.