FAQ: How does UDL relate to existing civil rights legislations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act?
A: UDL provides a framework for "building in" accessibility (and compliance with legislation) from the outset, instead of having to add it on later, via retrofitting. A UDL approach is more...
FAQ: UDL is often presented as being synonymous with digital media. Is digital media essential to UDL?
A: Traditional instructional materials tend to be inflexible because they are usually individual, self-contained units like, a book or a videotape. Digital media are inherently transformable. Each...
FAQ: UDL practitioners often reference the need for a "flexible" curriculum. Is that just another call for alternative format materials?
A: When UDL refers to the "curriculum", that includes goal-setting, instructional practice, instructional materials and...
FAQ: Is UDL really just another method for teaching students with disabilities?
A: A core premise of UDL is that "the future is in the margins." That is, by addressing the needs of those marginalized by traditional curricula (e.g., those with learning disabilities, physical...
FAQ: If I employ a UDL approach, does that mean lowering the achievement expectations for my students?
A: UDL is about eliminating barriers to learning, not about eliminating learning. The goal of UDL is to maintain high expectations while simultaneously addressing student who are unable to see, hear,...
FAQ: Why should Universal Design for Learning be of interest to me?
A: Postsecondary instructional settings are increasingly diverse, and institutions (and departments) increasingly compete with one another for students. UDL helps increase student participation,...
FAQ: Does Universal Design for Learning imply "One Size Fits All"?
A: The "universal" in universal design does not imply one optimal solution for everyone. Rather, it reflects an awareness of the unique nature of each learner and the need to accommodate differences,...
FAQ: What is Universal Design for Learning?
A: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for teaching, learning and assessment, drawing on brain research and new media technologies to respond to individual learner differences. The...
