Universal Design for Learning in Today’s Diverse Educational Environments

Introduction

In the 1970s, Ron Mace, an architect, product designer, and educator, created a design foundation which he coined universal design (NCSU, 2008). Most people are familiar with the application of universal design principles (e.g., curb cuts, automatic door openers, ramps) even if they are not familiar with the actual term. The main function of universal design is to “simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost” (CEC, 2005, p. xi). Its features generally benefit other users as well. For example, a curb cut designed for individuals in wheelchairs also benefits people using rolling computer bags, individuals pushing shopping carts, or children on tricycles. In addition, universal design has spawned other principles since its inception, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Definition Of Universal Design For Learning

Students attending school today (K-12 and higher education) are learners with diverse backgrounds; some are obvious (e.g., different cultures, different languages, some have disabilities), while some are not so obvious (e.g., variety of learning styles, various abilities). Dr. David Rose, a developmental neuropsychologist and educator, co-founded the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST, 2012a) in 1984. He recognized the importance of these learner differences. The concept of UDL grew out of Dr. Rose’s frustration of working with students with disabilities in a “one-size-fits-all” assessment environment. This environment was limited and was not designed to meet their needs nor the needs of a diverse culture of students (Rappolt-Schlichtmann, 2012, p. 3). Universal Design for Learning was designed to provide “a blueprint for creating instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work for everyone – not a single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather flexible approaches that can be customized and adjusted for individual needs” (CAST, 2012b). It also provides students with “an environment where instruction is flexible, equitable, and accessible every day of the school year” (CEC, 2005, p. 2).

Although UDL minimizes the need for assistive technology (AT), it does not completely eliminate it. One of the big differences between AT and UDL is that UDL is not added as a reaction to a need. It is incorporated into a classroom or online course during the design or planning stages. Although UDL cannot solve every issue, it provides a solid foundation for all students to start at the same level and more importantly, before a student ever enters a classroom (whether a physical or virtual space). Specific accessibility issues may need to be addressed on an individual basis, but overall, fewer accommodations will need to be made when UDL principles are applied from the start. As in the case of universal design, UDL benefits others as well. For example, using closed captioning for videos also helps improve comprehension for students with English as a second language, and provides access to information in a quiet environment, such as a library when headphones are not available.