University of Arizona

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles that can be incorporated into curricular design to create inclusive learning environments.  UDL allows all students equal opportunities to learn. The primary goal of UDL is to maximize student learning by increasing access and participation, and minimizing the need for individual accommodations.  

The UDL resources on this page provide a "toolkit" to help faculty  recognize and remove barriers in their courses, and reduce, or even eliminate, the need to facilitate accommodations for individual students. Incorporating seamless access into classrooms, curriculum, physical spaces, technology, and events will increase sustainability, as it is accommodations that are individual and consumable. For example, individual accommodations must be determined for each student, each class, each semester. However, when the curriculum is designed to be inclusive, the need to facilitate individual accommodations each semester is reduced.

 The major UDL principles are:

  • Provide multiple means of representation
  • Provide multiple means of action and expression
  • Provide multiple means of engagement

Steps to an Inclusive Learning Environment

  1. Focus on essential course elements
  2. Establish clear expectations and learning objectives
  3. Design activities specific to the learning objectives
  4. Encourage self-directed learning and active learning
  5. Provide information using multiple methods
  6. Incorporate diverse assessment strategies
  7. Build in opportunities for feedback
     

UDL Quick Tips

Technology accessibility in a UDL Course

 

Interested in more information?

If you are interested in learning more about inclusive curricular design, visit our references and resources page.  Disability Resource Center staff members are always available to discuss building universal design features into your instructional approach or how to implement accommodations.  Feel free to contact us at any time.

Incorporating a few changes in your curricular design will increase access and inclusiveness for all students.