Universal Design of Instruction:

1
Universal Design of Instruction

• What is it? Why Bother?
• Teaching Using Technology 2008
• California State University, Sacramento
• Presented by Melissa Repa, Jennifer Wood,
  Cryssel Vera

2
Objectives

• To Learn about the principles and benefits of
  Universal Design
• To Understand the principles and benefits of
  Universal Design
• To Apply what you have learned about Universal
  Design to the instructional context.

3
Accessible Technology Initiative Beyond Legal
Mandates

• Vision To create a culture of access for an
  inclusive learning and working environment.
• Principle To apply universal design, an approach
  to the design of products and services to be
  usable by the greatest number of people including
  individuals with disabilities.
• www.calstate.edu/accessibility

4
Universal Design Definition

• Universal design is a framework for the design of
  places, things, and information to be usable by
  the widest range of people in the widest range of
  situations without special or separate design.
• Universal design is human-centered design with
  everyone in mind.
• (www.AdaptiveEnvironments.org)

5
Universal Design Examples

• Curb cuts
• sidewalks accessible to wheelchairs, strollers,
  etc.
• Sliding power doors with sensors that open
  doors
• Talking ATM machines
• let you read or listen to info
• Captions on TVs
• assist deaf, ESL users and those in noisy places
• Ergonomic kitchen tools that are easy to grip

6
Universal Design Principles

• Universal design principles can be applied to
  design of instruction
• (Burgstahler, 2005)
• Equitable Use e.g. accessible web-based
  materials
• Flexibility in Use e.g. museum that allows you
  to read or listen to information
• Simple and Intuitive e.g. clear and easy to
  understand instructions
• Perceptible Information e.g. textbook with
  digital option which can be read using assistive
  technology
• Tolerance for Error e.g. educational software
  with guidance and feedback, option to return to
  main menu
• Low Physical Effort e.g. use word processor
• Size and Space for Approach and Use e.g.
  seating arrangement that allows you to see and
  face speakers

7
Benefits of Universal Design of Instruction

• Makes a class accessible to students with a wide
  range of abilities, backgrounds, ages,
  characteristics.
• Reduces the need for accommodations once a
  student with a disability enrolls in the class.
• Designing a class that is accessible from the
  start saves you time from retro-fitting class,
  website, etc.
• Maximizes learning for all and helps to
  accommodate different learning styles.
• Creates a classroom environment that respects and
  values diversity.
• Its the right thing to do.

8
Activity Cooking an Indian Dinner

• Organize into cooperative groups
• Imagine you are preparing an Indian meal for some
  friends.
• Imagine the needed resources (e.g. cooking
  expertise, familiarity with ingredients) will be
  available.
• What background, skills and interests do you
  bring to the table?
• Where would you need scaffolding, support, or
  instruction to complete the task?
• Reference Three brain networks

9
Specific Academic Applications

• Large lectures
• Group/work discussions
• Test taking
• Field work
• Science labs
• Computer labs
• Computers

• World Wide Web pages
• Distance learning
• Art work
• Writing assignments
• Travel programs
• Work-based learning

Faculty Room http//www.washington.edu/doit/Facul
ty/Strategies/Universal/
10
What We Accomplished

• Learn about the principles and benefits of
  Universal Design
• Understand the principles and benefits of
  Universal Design
• Apply what you have learned about Universal
  Design to the instructional context.

11
Questions/Discussion
12
Contact Information

• Melissa Repa, SSWD Co-Director ATI Project
  Coordinator, repam_at_csus.edu
• Jennifer Wood, SSWD Support Services Coordinator,
  woodj_at_csus.edu
• Cryssel Vera, Academic Computing Resources, ATI
  Instructional Materials Specialist,
  cvera_at_csus.edu