Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Curriculum Units by Grade Level & Subject | Curriculum Units by Subjects & Title | Resources and Presentations


INTRODUCTION

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a new conceptual framework in education that makes instruction readily accessible for the widest range of learners. UDL is based upon three main principles: 1) Multiple means of representation, 2) Multiple means of expression, & 3) Multiple means of engagement. Through this Joint UDL Project, teams of classroom teachers from general education and special education with the support of principal leadership, university educators with support of university administrators, and RI Department of Education representatives participated in training held at Rhode Island College and conducted by the Sherlock Center and consultants for the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) in January 2008. Twelve universally-designed curriculum units were cooperatively developed as a result of this training. Teachers, university educators, and others are encouraged to use these units as examples and guides for practical implementation of UDL in elementary, middle, secondary, and post-secondary classrooms. For additional information and ideas on UDL, visit the CAST website at http://www.cast.org

• Rhode Island Modified UDL Educator Checklist 34 kb (PDF) - use this checklist to identify which UDL components are present in a lesson or unit.
• UDL in a K-12 Partnership Model 3.9 MB (PowerPoint)- workshop presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Dalton and Dr. Maria Lawrence, April 2010.
• Adult Learners Conference, UDL Session 1.3 MB (PDF) - The 2011 RI Adult Education Annual Conference, held on May 25 at the Student Union of Rhode Island College, was attended by over 160 adult education practitioners. Twenty three different workshops on issues of adult learning and literacy were presented. The session posted here focuses on Universal Design for Learning: Adult Learning and Literacy and explores the following questions: What is UDL? What are the UDL Principles? What are the barriers and benefits to applying UDL in adult learning and literacy programs?

The 2010 RI Assistive Technology Conference featured a full strand of workshops on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ranging from historical and legal aspects of UDL, applications of UDL in instruction & curriculum, and the relationship of UDL to various levels of technology supports. Included here are the description of the UDL strand and the three UDL presentations from the conference.

• Universal Design for Learning Strand 243 kb (PDF)
• Universal Design for Learning Framework, Principles and Guidelines 3.47 MB (PDF), presented by Richard Jackson, Boston College/CAST Collaboration
• Implement Universal Design for Learning in Instruction and Curriculum 2.12 kb (PDF), presented by Dr. Elizabeth Dalton, Paul V. Sherlock Center, RI College and Dr. Maria Lawrence, Elementary Science Education, RI College
• Universal Design for Learning: Implementation Using Strategies, Technology, and Assistive Technology 1.6 MB (PDF), presented by Dr. Elizabeth Dalton, Paul V. Sherlock Center, RI College and Debbie Abruzzini, Paul V. Sherlock Center, RI College

Funding for this initiative was provided by the RI Department of Education, Office of Diverse Learners.

A Joint Project of:
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities @Rhode Island College,
University of Rhode Island and
RI Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

Jonathan Dyson (jdyson@ric.edu), Project Coordinator

Elizabeth Dalton, Summary Writer