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Description: This video is a TED talk about the importance of UDL.
Why it's important: This was a very interesting perspective on the importance of UDL.

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Why We Need Universal Design | Michael Nesmith | TEDxBoulder

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Description: This video is a great introduction for what UDL is and how it's different from differentiation instruction.
Why it's relevant: This is a fantastic explanation of the difference between UDL and DI.

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What is UDL? Universal Design for Learning Explained (3 minutes)

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#8: Universal Design for Learning Information for Educators

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#8: Universal Design for Learning Information for Educators

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Description: This website contains everything you need to know about UDL.
Why it's relevant: This website is a one stop shop. It includes the principles, benefits, examples, and more!

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a curriculum design, development, and delivery framework used to create inclusive and accessible learning environments. The goal of UDL is to ensure access to learning, while encouraging the development of expert learners.

The three central principles of UDL are:

Provide multiple means of engagement - Develop learning options to produce and sustain interest.

Provide multiple means of representation - Provide content in multiple ways.

Provide multiple means of action and expression - Offer options that allow students to fully demonstrate knowledge.

Research identifies UDL as a "best practice" approach to curriculum design, development, and delivery in all educational settings, including face-to-face, blended and online learning. Meaning, UDL is not in addition to the work required to educate, it is the means by which that work is done. Mohawk College feels that UDL provides the most comprehensive way for us to support and grow inclusion and access, college-wide.

UDL has benefits for both learners and educators. While the greatest benefits of universal design implementation are often felt by students who are on the margins, there are numerous reasons to implement UDL in higher education. Typically, UDL implementers find:

A reduction in the need for, and time required to arrange, individual accommodations.

The proactive design supports a more diverse student population.

A greater opportunity for learners to more fully demonstrate knowledge.

Better development of more self-aware and knowledgeable learners.

Meeting the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is easier.

Many educators at Mohawk College have already applied UDL to their courses. Some general ideas for UDL application include:

1. Provide multiple means of engagement

Give choice and promote autonomy.

Ensure that learning is relevant and contextualized.

Support communication and collaboration.

Encourage self-reliance, reflection and personal assessment.

2. Provide multiple means of representation

Use a variety of media to deliver content.

Offer options to change how content is displayed.

Be explicit with instructions and offer clarification.

Provide context to support new concepts.

3. Provide multiple means of action and expression

Employ multiple tools and media for communication.

Facilitate planning and goal setting for learning opportunities.

Organize course content and workload.

For more specific examples and ideas, review the UDL Standard, UDL Course Assessment, and/or videos found on this webpage. The UDL Implementation webpages also provide a variety of ideas and resources to support including UDL in your courses.

UDL Standard

The UDL Standard for Mohawk College can be a tool to support your UDL implementation, as it provides direction regarding UDL considerations for curriculum design, development, and delivery. You can access this Mohawk College's UDL Standard using the links below and to learn more you can watch the video on the UDL website landing page.
Access the UDL Standard as a PDF document Access the UDL Standard as a Word document
UDL Course Assessment
Access the UDL Guide Online as a PDF document Access the UDL Guide Online as a Word document
Take the UDL Course Assessment to determine the UDL elements currently in your course(s) and gain additional, targeted resources to support further UDL implementation. You can access the UDL Course Assessment by using the link above, or clicking the image below.

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guide | For Fully Online Learning Environments offers you some UDL elements to consider when designing, developing, and delivering curriculum for an online learning environment. This guide has been adapted from the online UDL Course Assessment and while you are still welcome to use the tool, at this time you may find it helpful to have a more streamlined resource solely focused on online learning environments.
Access the UDL Information for Educators as a PDF document Access the UDL Information for Educators as a Word document
Examples of Universal Design for Learning from Mohawk College Educators

Universal Design for Learning and Us

If you are interested in learning more about UDL, or would like support for your implementation you can:

Review Mohawk College's UDL Standard.

Use the UDL Course Assessment.

Connect with the Centre for Teaching & Learning and/or attend curriculum design workshops offered through the Centre for Teaching & Learning.

Contact Darla Benton Kearney, UDL Curriculum Consultant, at darla.benton [at] mohawkcollege.ca or 905-575-1212 extension 3688.

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Universal Design for Learning Information for Educators | Mohawk College

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a curriculum design, development, and delivery framework used to create inclusive and accessible learning environments. The goal of UDL is to ensure access to learning, while encouraging the development of expert learners. The three central principles of UDL are:

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Description: This website contains 5 examples of how UDL can work in the classroom.
Why it's relevant: UDL takes careful planning and lots of extra time. This webpage provides ideas for ways teachers can accomodate for their learners and ways to get started.

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Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

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5 Examples of Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching aimed at meeting the needs of every student in a classroom. It can be helpful for all kids, including kids with learning and attention issues. But UDL takes careful planning by teachers. Here are just a few examples of how UDL can work in a classroom.

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Description: This website contains 7 examples and strategies for using UDL in the classroom.
Why it's relevant: I found this website to be very helpful because it supports educators in getting started with using UDL. There are several strategies and ideas for how you can support each student.

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1. Know your students' strengths and barriers

All students are unique, and the way they learn best can be as individual as a fingerprint. Some students learn best by reading and working independently, while others excel by watching videos and working in groups. The goal is to understand their strengths and barriers, and to use that when designing lessons.

Determining strengths and barriers can be as simple as asking students their learning preferences, or observing them over time and keeping notes on which methods work best for which students. There are also many surveys that can help you learn more about individual strengths and barriers. One caveat is that asking students their preference doesn't always equate to what's best for them. For example, just because a student says he prefers watching videos doesn't mean that is actually how he learns best.

You should also be prepared to create an individual education plan for students requiring specific accommodations.

2. Use digital materials when possible

Although things are changing, I find that many classrooms still use paper-based materials. I'm not opposed to paper (I still buy real books from Amazon), but digital materials can make implementing UDL in a classroom much easier.

With digital content you can increase font size, easily look up definitions, use text-to-speech to read text aloud, and link out to more detailed information on almost any topic imaginable. This is particularly useful for students needing dyslexia-friendly reading tools, or translation.

If your current classroom materials are not in a digital format, consider ways you can change this. For example, you could replace outdated content with more up-to-date, digital content available online, or use tools like OrbitNote to convert paper-based materials to digital, accessible materials.

3. Share content in a variety of ways

In addition to having content available in a digital format, it's also important to share that content in a variety of ways. This can help ensure it fits with students' strengths and barriers discussed above.

For example, if you're teaching a unit on area and perimeter, you may know that some students will do well simply reading the textbook, while others would benefit from watching a video or listening to a hiphop version of the lesson on Flocabulary. Once they've got the concept down, let everyone get their hands dirty by working with manipulatives on their own or in a group to solve a real-life problem.

Offering multiple means of representation ( UDL's first principle) helps to ensure that students who struggle in one area do not automatically fall behind their peers.

4. Offer choices for how students demonstrate their knowledge

Sharing content in a variety of ways is only half the battle. Engaging students by giving them access to audio, video, digital text, and interactive sites, only then to hand out a paper and pencil quiz at the end of the day isn't ideal.

Obviously some of this is out of your control as standardized testing is a necessary part of education. When possible however, do your best to give students options for how they share their knowledge. This could be a demonstration, slideshow, speech, essay or video. Even using simple free tools like Google Forms provides an upgrade to standard multiple choice tests by making it digital and helping you to streamline grading.

5. Take advantage of software supports

Technology plays an important role in supporting Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The number of apps, extensions, sites, and built-in supports available to students today is nearly infinite. If you have a student who needs support with reading, writing, math, history, chemistry, or any other subject, chances are, software exists to help.

Allowing students to take advantage of these supports is critical. Not only does it give them the ability to succeed independently both inside and outside of the classroom, but it also frees up your valuable time to help even more students.

A great example of a support from Texthelp that's helping millions of students worldwide is Read&Write. Our handy extension for the Google Chrome web browser allows anyone with a Google account to have access to reading and writing supports on the web, in Google Docs, Slides, Forms and more.
Watch the video below to see how one district is benefiting from Read&Write.
As you can see, tools like Read&Write are a great way to provide on-demand support when and where students need it. And one of the great things about modern apps and extensions is their ease of use. Many times students simply discover these apps on their own after they are deployed. If not, usually a quick overview at the beginning of a class is all that's needed.

6. Low and No Tech options do exist

Even though I've been talking about the importance of digital content, software supports, and other technology-related tools, it's important to know that technology is not required to implement UDL. Sure, it can help, but if you're in a classroom with little to no technology, that doesn't mean you can't implement UDL.

UDL is all about removing barriers. As mentioned, one way to do this is by providing a range of options when presenting content or asking students to demonstrate their knowledge. Instead of using technology you can still offer multiple means of representation with things like graphic organizers and handheld whiteboards that students can use as response cards. The goal is just to make sure that all students have a way to participate and learn.

7. Learn from others

Universal Design for Learning isn't new. There are loads of resources available online that can help you get started. You can start by heading over to the UDL Center's website to learn more about the topic and the research behind it. You can check out our dedicated UDL guide for educators which can help you determine each learner's needs and create a personalized learning environment in your classroom.

Just remember to start small. Implementing the principles of Universal Design for Learning doesn't happen overnight. For example, begin by taking one lesson and consider ways to represent the content in multiple ways to reduce barriers and help increase student comprehension. Then for another lesson, offer students multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge. Or maybe create a short quiz in Google Docs instead of paper and demonstrate how students can use a tool like Read&Write to help with reading and responding to the questions.

By tackling UDL one step at a time, you can see what works and what doesn't for your unique students and classroom.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in May 2017 and was updated in December 2022.

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7 Universal Design for Learning Examples and Strategies for the Classroom

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While UDL is a common phrase in many schools today, it can be difficult to practically implement in the classroom. To help with this, I've put together a list of 7 ideas to make introducing Universal Design for Learning into the classroom just a bit easier.

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Description: This website explains each guideline for UDL.
Why it's relevant: This is a quick and easy reference for implementing each UDL guideline. The website provides different options for teaching methods.

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST. The UDL Guidelines can be used by educators, curriculum developers, researchers, parents, and anyone else who wants to implement the UDL framework in a learning environment. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

Reenvisioning the UDL Guidelines

Because the UDL Guidelines are meant to be informed by feedback from the field as well as new research, they have been updated several times in the past. We are in the process of updating the Guidelines once again in our UDL Rising to Equity initiative.

This update will focus specifically on addressing systemic barriers that result in inequitable learning opportunities and outcomes. CAST aims to develop a transparent, inclusive, and community-driven process. If you are interested in collaborating and staying updated on our progress, we invite you to complete a brief survey.

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST. The UDL Guidelines can be used by educators, curriculum developers, researchers, parents, and anyone else who wants to implement the UDL framework in a learning environment. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

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Description: This video shows an example 6th grade science lesson where the teacher is implementing UDL.
Why it's relevant: This video is relevant because seeing UDL in action is much different than learning what UDL is and why we use it. Learners like myself are visual learners and need to observe before implementing.

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National Center on Universal Design for Learning

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UDL Guidelines in Practice: Grade 6 Science

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Description: This website is a great introduction to what UDL is and why we should use it.
Why it's relevant: This is a great visual that touches on the qualities and principles of UDL.

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Description: This video shows the impact that UDL has on students, a teacher's perspective on implementing UDL in their classroom, and an example of what UDL looks like.
Why it's relevant: This video is relevant because of the different perspective. Hearing about the impact that UDL has on teachers and students is motivating.

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Description: This website was incredibly helpful for any teacher interested in implementing UDL. The webpage explains why we should use UDL, what UDL looks like, how to implement the 3 principles, how to support families, and more!
Why it's relevant: This website is relevant because it not only explains what UDL is, but also what it looks like in the classroom and how to implement it.

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework developed by CAST, an Understood founding partner. UDL guides the design of learning experiences to proactively meet the needs of all learners. When you use UDL, you assume that barriers to learning are in the design of the environment, not in the student. UDL is based on brain science and evidence-based educational practices. It also leverages the power of digital technology.

Imagine this: Your students are going to write an essay on the stages of butterfly metamorphosis.

Some students have seen butterflies grow through the different stages at a local science museum. These students are excited to share what they know. Other students don't know anything about butterflies and are nervous about writing on this topic. And some students don't like to write - they dread this activity from the moment you say "essay."

In any class, you know there's a wide range of enthusiasm, background, and skills among your students. When you plan with this range in mind, you can approach the lesson in several ways.

You could share a mini-lesson on butterfly metamorphosis and have students use a guided worksheet as they write. Or you could set up stations where students are grouped using flexible grouping around understanding of the topic, language ability, or reading level.

But take a step back. In any lesson or task, you can anticipate this range of variability among your students. There's another approach you can take to plan for this variability in all your lessons: Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Why use Universal Design for Learning?

The ultimate goal of UDL is for all learners to become "expert learners." Expert learners are purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-directed about learning.

UDL is a powerful approach because from the very start of your lesson, it helps you anticipate and plan for all your learners. It can help you make sure that the greatest range of students can access and engage in learning - not just certain students.

You don't need specific tools or technologies to follow UDL's principles either. Instead, your students choose from the tools and resources you already have. They might use them in different ways.

Also, UDL may change how you think about what prevents students from learning. Instead of thinking that something needs to change about the students, UDL looks at the learning environment. The learning environment can include barriers to learning, like the design of the curricular goals, assessments, methods, and materials. In this way, the learning environment itself can be "abled" or "dis-abled."

UDL gives you a framework to follow so you can reduce the barriers to learning. The main way to do this is to prepare a learning environment where students have what they need to flexibly meet learning goals.

What does UDL look like in the classroom?

Universal design can be found just about anywhere you look - both inside and outside your school. Curb cuts change sidewalks so that they're accessible to the greatest range of users, including people who use wheelchairs and those pushing strollers. Closed captions make television accessible to people who are deaf or who have hearing loss, as well as people at the gym or spouses who can't agree whether or not to keep the TV on at night. No two forms of universal design are the same.

Universal Design for Learning looks different in every classroom. But there are commonalities. To start with, there's always a focus on building expert learning for all. Other common elements of a UDL experience include:

All learners knowing the goal

Intentional, flexible options for all students to use

Student access to resources from the start of a lesson

Students building and internalizing their own learning

In a UDL environment, students rarely do the same task in the same way at the same time. The flexible options will differ across developmental ages. But the framework for having clear goals and flexible options is consistent no matter the grade level or content areas.

How can I use the three principles of UDL?

UDL describes human variability based on parts of the brain that manage the "why" (affective network), the "what" (recognition network), and the "how" (strategic network) of learning. Watch as CAST co-founder David Rose explains why UDL emphasizes variability instead of disability.

CAST developed UDL guidelines that are based on three main principles that align with these learning networks. The three UDL principles are engagement, representation, and action and expression.

The chart below includes the three UDL principles adapted from CAST. It also gives you some questions to consider and lists some examples of the principles in action. You can print a one-page version of this chart to have on hand while planning a lesson, activity, or routine for your students.

How can families support this at home?

Families may not be familiar with the concept of students being active participants in setting their learning goals. They may have questions about letting students make their own learning choices.

Explain at back-to-school night or in a class that you'll be using Universal Design for Learning. You can even share a family-friendly article about the UDL approach to teaching.

Assure families that you have high expectations for all students to become expert learners in your classroom. And explain that you'll keep working with the students and their families to build the skills and interest to make that happen.

Additional CAST resources to explore

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UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning. When you teach using UDL, your lessons are designed in flexible ways to meet the needs of individual learners. Read more about UDL.