Presentation by Dr. Brian ButlerDisability Support Service

UCC

Universal Design for Learning and Digital

Media

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design is design for all.

School of Design North Carolina State University www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

Under the Disability Act 2005 the National Disability Authority in Ireland was commissioned to set in place the

Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) www.universaldesign.ie

Aims of CEUD are to promote the principles of UD in architecture,

environmental design and product design

Principles of Universal Design

 

1 Equitable use – For people with diverse abilities

2 Flexibility in use – Accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities

3 Simple and intuitive use - Use of the design is easy to understand regardless of the users experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level

4 Perceptible information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities

5 Tolerance for error - The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions

6 Low physical effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue

7 Size and space for approach and use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of user’s body size, posture or mobility

 

What is Universal Design for Learning?

It is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunity to learn

What is Universal Design for Learning?

It provides a blueprint for creating instructional:

Goals

Methods

Materials

Assessments

CAST and the Work of Anne Meyer and David Rose

CAST have drawn up 3 principles of Universal Design for Learning and these reflect the basic neurology of the learning brain:

Recognition networks

Strategic networks

Effective networks

www.cast.org

3 Principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Multiple forms of Representation

Multiple forms of Expression

Multiple forms of Engagement

 

(For guidelines see www.udlcenter.org)

 

 

What negative factors can impact on learning?

 

Being in an unfamiliar culture

 

Having major life commitments outside academic life

 

Stress or anxiety disorders

 

Physical conditions that cause mobility impairment.

 

Sensory conditions such as hearing or seeing

 

Specific learning difficulty. Such as dyslexia or dyscalculia

 

  

What does Universal Design for Learning Achieve?

 

Universal thinking considers the potential needs of all learners

It identifies and eliminates barriers to teaching and learning

It maximizes learning for learners of all backgrounds and learner preferences while minimizing the need for special accommodations

 

 

What else does Universal Design for Learning Address?

UDL offers strategies that remove barriers to learning It provides flexibility to enable students to access learning in ways that make sense for them It helps address legislation Helps address changing demographics Makes optimum use of developing technologies in education

 

Importance of Technology to Universal Design for Learning

Course web site can be vital for providing variety in instruction and materials:

Syllabus of course or program of study

Assignments

Discussion groups

Class projects

Class notes

Video material

Podcasts

PowerPoint slides for lectures

Reading material

Links to other websites can also help provide additional representations of a topic

Flexibility of digital media:

 

Text can be presented in:

Any size

As speech

In the context of a concept map

In Braille

Ensure all digital media passes accessibility guidelines

 

Using alt-text for graphical images is important

See:

Royal National Institute for the Blind

www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/web-accessibility

 

World Wide Web Consortium

www.w3.com

Tools for Checking Accessibility of Websites

www.w3.org/wai/er/tools/

 

Other important resource

Information available on how to create accessible:

Word documents,

PDF documents,

PowerPoint presentations

E-mails

 

www.ucc.ie/en/teachlearn/resources/

Also see www.universaldesign.ie/newsandevents/presentationsun