Universal Design is an approach to designing products and environments to be usable by people of all abilities, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The document outlines the seven steps of Universal Design which include determining the product, identifying diverse needs, asking consumers for help, making accommodations, allowing flexibility, and assessing the final product. Universal Design benefits many students, including those with disabilities, English language learners, gifted students, and struggling students. When implemented in classrooms, Universal Design minimizes the need for special accommodations while still allowing those accommodations if needed. Examples of Universal Design include assistive technology, website design, and curriculum design.

1. Universal Design
By Cortlynn Van Benschoten

2. What Is Universal Design?

It addresses a
diverse
population.1
Steps 1
1.
2.

It strives to meet
the needs of all
consumers.1
3.
4.
5.
6.

It is inclusive.1

It does not base
the design off of
an “average”
person.1
7.
Determine which product will
be designed.
Identify the needs of a diverse
population.
Ask consumers for help.
Make use of an existing model
and apply it.
Make accommodations.
Allow for flexibility and ongoing
training
Assess the final product.
Using these steps, UD can be
applied in the creation of any
product or service. 1

3. Why Use Universal Design?
Universal Design helps many students
including:

◦ ELL students, students with disabilities,
gifted students, and struggling students. 2

It is designed to be flexible. 2

It is based on research in cognitive
science.2

The current curriculum is created for
an “average” student, and many
students are labeled as “disabled.”3
◦ UD strives to reduce the amount of
students labeled as “disabled.”3
Universal Design in the Classroom:




Sometimes, special accommodations still need to be made even when UD is
implemented.8
UD minimizes the need for special accommodations. 8
When curriculum is designed using UD, resources will not need to be reformatted
if a student with disabilities enrolls in the class. 8
Multiple students can benefit from a single type of assistance.
◦
For example: Captions for audio can help deaf students, but it can also help ELL students.8

4. How To Use Universal Design
Effectively
Present information in various ways.2
 Allow students to show what they have learned in
various ways.2
 Keep students engaged.

◦ Offer options because all students have different interests
and preferences.4
Make the information relevant to the students lives.2
 Create expert learners.2
 Administrators should hold teachers accountable and
recognize their efforts.3


5. Examples of Universal Design
CAST-developed
ULTimate Reader:
 Assistive
technology
◦ Digital version of
textbooks
◦ Options for voice
over and
highlighting
◦ Scaffolded
instruction5
Creating and Viewing
Websites:


Display information in a
variety of ways to
accommodate all people
Keep in mind that some
individuals may not be able
to:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Operate a mouse
Hear sound
View images
Read text 6
Suggestions for
Universal Design
on the Internet:
◦ High contrast
◦ Sans Serif font
◦ Short
paragraphs and
headings
◦ Captions for
audio5
Web Design & Development I
curriculum:




It is a project-based curriculum in
which students create their own
web pages and evaluate other’s.
Curriculum supports national skill,
national education, and web design
standards.
Websites must reflect UD.
UD is built into the curriculum:
◦
◦
Teachers and students may access
the course through a web browser.
Lessons are also printer-friendly.7

6. Resources
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
http://www.washington.edu/do
it/Brochures/Programs/ud.htm
l
http://youtu.be/pGLTJw0GSxk
http://youtu.be/vr3ardmq0a0
http://youtu.be/rfsx3DGpv5o
http://oldsite.cec.sped.org/AM/
Template.cfm?Section=CEC_
Today1&TEMPLATE=/CM/Co
ntentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTI
D=2657
http://www.washington.edu/do
it/Brochures/Technology/unive
rsal_class.html
http://www.washington.edu/ac
cessit/webdesign/index.htm
http://www.washington.edu/do
it/Brochures/Academics/instru
ction.html
Images
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
http://msastrid88.wordpress.com/
http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/2
013/most-diverse-cities-inamerica/
http://theargonauts.com/bicyclequotes/like-a-fish-needs-abicycle.shtml
http://ginamarotta.com/a-lessonin-living-from-my-heart-beinclusive/
http://engagefamilyminute.com/20
10/10/young-boy-wants-to-usegirl%E2%80%99s-bathroom%E2%80%93-human-rightscouncil-agrees/
http://peripateticparanjpe.blogspot
.com/2013_02_01_archive.html
http://www.toolsformoney.com/mo
ney_ebook.htm