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Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology (CCIT)

Universal Design for Learning Guidelines

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) supports developing flexible learning environments to accommodate the needs of diverse learners, including students with disabilities. It helps us think about and address the needs of all students in our learning spaces.

Use the information on the CAST: Universal Design for Learning Guidelines and the captioned video below to help you respond to students' diverse needs when planning learning experiences.

 

Image: Embracing UDL to Empower Students (click to view the PDF version of the infographic)

View an accessible version of the infographic in a new tab: UDL Infographic PDF

Addressing All Learners' Needs with UDL

UDL Strategies

Click the tabs to read about UDL strategies to support students who have learning challenges. Embedding the strategies into your courses can help remove barriers to make learning in your courses more accessible and inclusive!

UDL: Multiple Means of EngagementUDL: Multiple means of RepresentationUDL: Multiple means of Action & Expression

UDL Strategies for Students who have ADD
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Multimedia resources to engage learners
  • Record lectures in Zoom or Flip and embed in course
  • Provide clear and concise instructions
  • Break down complex tasks into smaller steps
  • Use visual aids for students to engage with the materials and connect to prior knowledge (concept maps, pictures, tables, diagrams of concepts, and vocabulary)
  • Use assistive technologies (i.e., speech-to-text, Immersive Reader, MS Word Dictate tool
  • Use multimedia resources
  • Provide flexible deadlines
  • Mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning to help students learn at their own pace
  • Use AI and other technologies to support assignment completion
  • Provide checklists and graphic organizers to stay on track
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice)

  • Use audio or video tools to capture narration
UDL Strategies for Students who have ADD
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression

  • Provide a safe, welcoming environment for students to share their thoughts without judgment

  • Use visual aids for students to engage with the materials and connect to prior knowledge (concept maps, pictures, tables, diagrams of concepts, and vocabulary)

  • Use appropriate humor (but avoid sarcasm)

  • Use consistent organization and formatting of course materials

  • Offer collaborative learning opportunities that are low stakes…

  • Use clear, concise language in course materials

  • Provide visual aids (charts, graphs, concept maps, graphic organizers, infographics…)

  • Offer multiple formats for materials; use relevant, relatable examples to identify why they are learning a concept or skill

  • Provide templates for assignments when possible to support proper formatting for documents, note-taking, etc.

  • Offer choices to offer a sense of control over learning experiences

  • Use storytelling to connect with the course materials…

  • Provide opportunities for self-pacing and flexibility in assignments

  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice)

  • Provide frequent formative feedback during the learning and assessment process

  • Use technology to promote full participation in discussions

  • Provide options for communication with their peers and the instructor that works for them to reduce anxiety…
UDL Strategies for Students who have Auditory Impairments
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Provide text-based transcripts, captions, and alt text for all audio/visual instructional materials to make them accessible
  • Use online discussion forums to allow full participation in course discussions
  • Use visual aids for students to engage with the materials and connect to prior knowledge (concept maps, pictures, tables, diagrams of concepts, and vocabulary)
  • Assess accessibility of course resources in Canvas and other instructional materials using the Accessibility tools in Canvas, Microsoft, and other apps to ensure accessibility
  • Provide closed captioning, transcripts, and/or notes for all audio and video materials
  • Share assistive technologies to ensure students with hearing impairments can access all of your materials (i.e., alt-text for all images, closed captions)
  • Provide examples of AI apps and other technologies to support assignment completion
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice
UDL Strategies for Students who are English Language Learners
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Connect to prior knowledge and experiences
  • Simplify language and make directions clear and concise (AI can help!)
  • Have students use graphic organizers to organize thinking
  • Use AI and other technologies to help students practice skills or support completing assignments
  • Provide translations
  • Reduce text complexity whenever possible
  • Help students engage with the materials using concept maps, infographics, tables, diagrams, and other visual aids
  • Include culturally diverse materials
  • Suggest apps that can translate materials and read them out loud to reduce cognitive load (i.e., Immersive Reader).
  • Break down larger tasks into smaller steps
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning
  • Provide additional time on learning tasks and assessments
  • Use AI and other technologies to help students practice basic skills or support assignment completion
  • Provide opportunities for peer learning
  • Use technology to foster communication and collaboration among students
  • Provide models and exemplars of desired products
UDL Strategies for Students who have Learning Challenges
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Provide choices (i.e., choice boards)
  • Use educational games
  • Use accessible sans-serif fonts that are clear and easy to read
  • Offer visual aids for students to engage with the materials and connect to prior knowledge (concept maps, pictures, tables, diagrams of concepts, and vocabulary)
  • Offer collaborative learning opportunities
  • Provide authentic, real-world examples of concepts they are learning
  • Make learning practical
  • Encourage using the Immersive Reader tool in Canvas to have text read aloud and engage with the content…
  • Provide notes and handouts in Microsoft Word or PDF so they can use text-to-speech tools
  • Use storytelling to connect with the materials and break down tasks (scaffolding and chunking)
  • Provide visual aids (charts, graphs, concept maps, graphic organizers, infographics…)
  • Use clear, concise language in course materials
  • Simplify complex language; use headings and sub-headings in documents and Canvas pages
  • Offer materials in a variety of formats…
  • Speech-to-text tools to help students produce written work (i.e., Dictate tool in MS Word)
  • Provide opportunities for self-pacing and flexibility in assignments
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice)
  • Use assistive technology in the assessment process (i.e., Immersive Reader in Canvas, Read Aloud tool in MS Word, text-to-speech tools…)
  • Use rubrics to help students understand success criteria and word them in student-friendly ways…
UDL Strategies for Students who are English Language Learners
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Ensure accessibility of the course materials
  • Assistive technologies that support engagement with course materials (i.e., Dictate tool in MS Word)
  • Use AI and other technologies to support assignment completion
  • Provide additional time on learning tasks and assessments…
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice)
  • Use AI and other technologies to support assignment completion

 

UDL Strategies for Students Who are English Language Learners
UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement UDL: Multiple Means of Representation UDL: Multiple Means of Action & Expression
  • Use high-contrast materials
  • Use descriptive language to describe course materials to help students with visual impairments engage with the materials
  • Offer collaborative learning opportunities…
  • Assess accessibility of course resources in Canvas and other instructional materials using the Accessibility tools in Canvas, Microsoft, and other apps to ensure accessibility for all students
  • Screen magnification tools
  • Provide audio descriptions or transcripts for visual media
  • Use clear, simple language
  • Offer clear instructions
  • Make students aware of assistive technologies (provide alt-text for images, closed captions, speech-to-text, Immersive Reader)
  • Use consistent organization and formatting of course materials
  • Narrated directions in audio, video, PowerPoint, Flip, or other tools…
  • Use AI and other technologies to support assignment completion
  • Offer alternative ways to express learning (choice)
  • Offer flexible deadlines and timing…