Universal DesignLeigh Volpi

EDT 279

What is Universal Design?

Universal design is a process which allows all students to perform no matter what their learning level is.

The design meets the needs of every student so that they can be successful in the classroom.

Universal Design is a PROCESS

There are many steps that go into making UD effective:› Identify the application: this is the environment in which you wish

to design› Define universe: explain the overall population and the potential

diverse characters› Involve consumers: include people who have diverse

characteristics› Adopt guidelines and standards: Use the Universal Design

standards when creating your design› Apply guidelines and standards: use those that best fit the field› Plan for accommodations: Process for requests for those who the

design might not have direct access to› Train and Support: Share goals with respect to diversity and

inclusion with everyone› Evaluate: Evaluate with a diverse group of users and make

modifications needed

Flexibility of Universal Design

UD uses materials and methods that make learning goals achievable for students with a wide range in abilities› It is a flexible curricular to provide alternatives› Teachers should be aware of these different materials so

that they can help in any situations so all students needs are met.

› Students should still however be challenged to learn› Flexibility is the key! The schedule should be expected

to change any time to meet the individual needs.

Universal Design Principles

We have to remember that there isn’t an “average” student. This is something that we have been told but there are so many different levels of learners of students that we can classify one “average” learner.

Universal Design finds learning experiences that work

Universal Design Principles Continued…

How we present information to the learner: multiple means of representation. There isn’t one way to present information.

Provide multiple means of action and expression:students vary in how they express what they know. Create different mechanisms for students to express what they know. Multiple means of engagement: this is important. Students need to be motivated to do work so provide them with different ways to engage in the lesson.

Components of Universal Design

What are the goals? Relate them to the Universal Design Standards

What are the materials used Methods: how does the teacher go about teaching to help students learn. Does she use groups, lectures, or real world experiences Means of assessment: how do we know learning really occurs?

Focus of Universal Design We used to just focus on the students

and their disabilities and learning struggles› However we didn’t realize that it was the

classrooms and curriculum that were disabling the students.

› Our curriculum was very fixed and narrow and students were easily

labeled as struggling

How to Implement Universal Design

Teachers need to be careful when they create lesson plans in Universal Design. › You have to indentify what could be a barrier for different

students and how you will go about helping them.› This takes courage and trust with a team of teachers who are open to be creative and accomplish the goals› With universal design in the classroom all students are on the same page and are able to communicate and participate together no matter what learning level they are.

Articles Used:

A Goal and a process that can be applied to the design of any product or environment

Universally design Instruction UDL: Principles and Practice Implementing UDL