What is UDL?

Universal Design for Learning is, in actuality, an approach developed in the field of architecture in the late 1980’s (Katz, 13). The goal for architects was to design facilities and buildings in a way that was accessible to everyone. Ronald Mace is the architect who defined the term universal design, and who challenged the traditional approach to architecture as it seemed to only benefit able-bodied individuals (Katz, 13).

Side note: Throughout this exploration, I will refer to a text by Dr. Jennifer Katz, from the University of Manitoba. She specializes in inclusive education and UDL in her book, “Teaching to Diversity: The Three-Block Model of Universal Design for Learning”.I will explore the “three-block model” at a later date.  If you are interested in this topic, I would highly recommend this resource!

Anyways, back to architecture!

Ronald Mace himself experienced barriers his entire life: he was diagnosed with polio at age 9, and used a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He understood the challenges and obstacles that people faced on a daily basis, and incorporated this into his belief of a universal design. When infrastructure is designed to accommodate those with disabilities, low and behold, they accommodate everyone! When you plan ahead with an inclusive mind-set, the outcomes you reach will benefit EVERYONE!

Inclusion is something that is prevalent in education as well. Not only of those with disabilities, but perhaps those with a different cultural background, who speak a different language, or who face academic challenges. Inclusion, and exclusion, can appear in all forms. The concept of a UDL classroom addresses these areas in the hopes of providing all children with an opportunity to participate and share their knowledge. Sometimes it may mean representing concepts in different ways (written, visuals, audio, etc.) so that all your students are able to understand a direction or concept. I believe that if we apply Mace’s ideas to the classroom setting, and cast a wide net of inclusivity, that we will be better equipped to help ALL our students succeed. Each child is different, so it would make sense that how they learn reflects that. Yes it takes time. Yes it takes effort on the part of the teacher. But we are teachers because we want to teach the future generation, and we want all of our students to reach their full potential and flourish in what they set their mind to. This does not go for some students, we want this for all of our students.

Katz, Jennifer. 2012. Teaching to Diversity: The Three-Block Model of Universal Design for Learning. Winnipeg, Manitoba: Portage and Main Press

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/13/us/ronald-l-mace-58-designer-of-buildings-accessible-to-all.html