Universal Design

It was interesting to read about the concept of universal design and to find out that the idea emerged from the field of architecture. Architects design buildings that have accessibility features such as: wheel chair ramps, curb cuts and automatic doors. Universal design is an approach to designing environments and products so they can be used by the widest range of users without adaptation. (Center for Universal Design, 1997)

Educators are now applying universal design concepts in their classrooms. According to the American Institutes for Research, universal design in education seeks to ensure that all students have the option of learning from materials and practices that suit their abilities and learning styles in settings and facilities that can accommodate their various needs.

Many educators today consider learning differences when developing curriculum and use instructional methods that appeal to a variety of learning styles. The concept of universal design seems to support this differentiated instruction. According to Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler, applying universal designing concepts in course planning assures full access to the content for most students and minimizes the need for special accommodations. She gives the example of designing Web resources in accessible format as they are developed so no redevelopment is necessary if a blind student enrolls in the class. Another example she gives is captioning course videos, which provides access to deaf students, but also it benefits students for whom English is a second language and to some students with learning disabilities.

It was interesting to read about the concept of universal design and to realize that in some ways I am applying it in my classroom. My chapter notes are posted on the homework site for students to download, to increase the font size, and to highlight. I will have to look into some programs that change text-to-speech and investigate how to get course materials in alternate formats.