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