Universal Design for Instruction
What is Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)?
Universal Design for Instruction is a process of instructional design that takes into consideration a wide range of learners from diverse backgrounds with multiple learning styles and needs. These learners include students of varying age, race, and abilities, including those with physical and learning disabilities. The principles behind Universal Design of Instruction have been derived from concepts of Universal Design(UD) for architecture, and then further expanded upon to meet the needs of academic instruction.
Are there benefits to implementing principles of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)?
There are several benefits to making your instruction more universal to all users. Just as "curb cuts" on sidewalks and motion activated doors have benefited people other than those with disabilities; so to can universally designed instructional materials address multiple styles of learning (ie. visual, auditory, tactile). For example, when principles of universal design are applied to instructional materials they often become more functional, easier to use and review. Materials often become more compatible across software, browsers, and even wireless devices which continue to become more popular everyday. Therefore instructional content and information becomes more easily accessed, digested, searched, and retained by a broader range of learners.
Want a quick overview, below are two videos that are under 15 minutes in length:
- Equal Access: Universal Design for Instruction (13:09)
- Universal Learning Design: Empowering the Next Generation (9:56)
For more information or examples of Universal Design for Instruction see the UDI pages from the Center for Universal Design for Instruction in Postsecondary Education, University of Connnecticut.
Improving Design
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Standards
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Design Resources
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