2. Universal Design
Overview
• Universal Design is the creation of anything from environments to objects that
is equally usable and accessible to everyone. The area/ object is created
universal for all people, instead of altered to fit the needs of people across the
spectrum.
• Universal Design has a list of seven principles that establish a set of ideals of
how environments and objects should be created so that they can be made
equally for all types of people. These principles include ideas such as there
should be a low physical effort to access/ use the environment or object and
that the design of the item has a minimized chance of a hazard occurring to
protect all people.
3. Why Universal Design is
Needed in the Classroom
Curriculums across the country are created and based on what some
people refer to as the “average student.” Studies have shown that there
is no such thing.
Children who are considered “disabled” are not succeeding in a pre-
designed curriculum because it is not built for them. Children who are
considered “gifted” are not being challenged in this curriculum so neither
type of child is gaining anything from this type of curriculum.
4. What Universal Design Can
Do for the Education
Creating a Universal Design curriculum in the classroom works for every student and allows
every student to become an “expert learner” who loves to learn and gains something from the
curriculum.
Students in the classroom will be able to make choices with the flexible curriculum. Each
individual student can take a different path to reach becoming an “expert learner.”
The implementing of Universal Design will decrease the amount of “disabled” students and more
students will be able to succeed and achieve more in the classroom.
5. UD Implemented in the
Classroom
• There are three principles that are implemented in the classroom when a UD curriculum is
established.
• There is multiple representations when it comes to presenting information to the students. Various
ways of delivering information to students are to be used.
• Multiple means of expression must be available to the students because each student expresses
themselves in different ways in the classroom.
• Multiple means of engagement is importance because if the students are not in love with learning
then they will not be able to gain as much in the classroom.
6. UD Implemented in the
Classroom
• There are also four core parts of the Universal Design curriculum that are important for the
classroom to create equal opportunities of learning for all students.
• Goals needs to be created so that standards are set in the classroom about what the teacher
wants each individual child to achieve.
• The materials in the classroom must be universally designed so that all students have access
and are able to use them to gain an effective learning experience.
• The teacher must be open to using several methods of teaching because each individual child
is going to require a unique type of teaching method to be able to become an expert learner.
• Assessments need to be given so that we know that the UD curriculum is being utilized
correctly and that children are learning.
