Universal Design: Introduction

The term "universal design" was first coined by the architect Ronald L. Mace in the early 1980s to describe the concept of designing products and buildings to be “usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life.”

These design principles, when applied to the learning environment, are referred to as Universal Design for Learning (UDL). There are many terms and acronyms used to describe Universal Design in higher education, including Universal Course Design (UCD), Universal Design for Instruction (UDI), etc. For the purposes of this module, the term Universal Design for Learning will be used. The UDL framework calls for creating curriculum from the outset that considers the full range of learners and learning styles. 

CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology, provided a framework for UDL that looks at three primary brain networks and the multiple means of representation, expression and engagement. 

• Representation: Provides learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge.
• Expression: Provides learners with alternatives for demonstrating what they know.
• Engagement: Uses strategies to tap into learner interests and motivate them to learn.

Universal Design for Learning provides concrete instructional strategies that meet the unique needs of a diverse range of students – such as students who are English language learners, have a disability, or are from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. 

Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education

Faculty are confronted by the changing population of students in their courses and are looking to UDL to help them improve learning experiences for all. Most faculty are not trained as teachers, and professional development in this area is often fragmented. Therefore, an effective strategy has been to understand that applying UDL strategies can truly help meet the needs of all students, and will likely improve teaching experiences. To learn how UDL enhanced one professor’s experiences, watch the video of Professor Lance Hidy in the To Learn More section.