Universal design aims to make products and environments usable by all people without needing adaptation. It focuses on equitable use, flexibility, intuitive design, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size/space for approach. Universal design in education creates learning experiences for a wide spectrum of students, not just the average, by addressing individual needs, encouraging cooperation, and providing multiple ways to learn and demonstrate knowledge. Teachers employing universal design address diverse learning needs, encourage cooperation, and provide flexibility in content delivery and assessment.

1. By: Jillian Kelley

2.  According to the Center for Universal Design,
universal design "is the design of products
and environments to be usable by all people,
to the greatest extent possible, without the
need for adaptation or specialized design."

3.  Equitable use
 Flexibility in use
 Simple and intuitive
 Perceptible information
 Tolerance for error
 Low physical effort
 Size and space for approach and use

4.  Many curricula are based on the “average
student” but there really is no such thing
 Get students that have been marginalized
(gifted students, English language learners,
students with disabilities, etc.)
 Creates learning experiences that apply to a
wide spectrum of learners, not just the
average student

5.  UD in education provides "a framework for
designing curricula that enable all individuals
to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for
learning.”
 Teachers must:
◦ Address individual students’ needs
◦ Encourage cooperative learning
◦ Provide students with different ways of learning one
topic and presenting it in different evaluation
formats
◦ Select materials with accessible formats

6.  http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/equa
l_access_udi.html
 http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Programs/ud.ht
ml
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLTJw0GSxk&feature=pl
ayer_embedded
 http://spotsyschools.us/itrt/LinkClick.aspx?link=documents%
2fconference+documents%2fvetc%2fudlposter%2fvetc+ppt.jp
g&tabid=4404&mid=7242
 http://dedication2education.com/2011/12/universal-
design-for-learning-it-just-fits/
 http://www.architecture.com/FindOutAbout/InclusiveDesign/
InclusiveDesign.aspx