Universal Design for Learning Series. UDL :: Login. 3 Fundamentals of UDL. CAST: Center for Applied Special Technology. Universal Design for Learning. Universal design provides people with disabilities greater access to the community and the workplace by removing or reducing barriers found in the environment. These principles, first outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are now being applied to instruction through IDEA '04 (Center for Applied Special Technology [CAST], 2004a).
In the broadest sense, applying principles of universal design to instruction seeks to remove barriers that any individual might face when participating in instructional activities (Hitchcock & Stahl, 2003). Universal design for learning (UDL) is a way to help all students, not just those with disabilities, to access the curriculum in nonstandard ways. Most often, UDL has technology at the core of its solution to finding increased ways for students to approach and participate in instruction. Unlike accommodations and modifications made for students with disabilities, universal design creates alternatives open to all students. About UDL. A short video by CAST illustrates the three principles of Universal Design for Learning. How US Federal Statute Defines UDL The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, passed with strong bipartisan support, established the statutory definition for universal design for learning. Read the definition UDL Series A free online collection of rich media presentations that help educators to build UDL understanding, implementa-tion skills, and leadership ability.
Visit the UDL Series Resource for Parents and Teachers The UDLinks app was developed through a grant from the Maryland Department of Education to help teachers and parents search for online teaching resources aligned with UDL. UDL Now! In UDL Now!