Institutionalizing UDLInstitutionalizing UDL
EDUCAUSE Regional Conference, Austin TX 2010
Abstract
When discussed in the context of disability and accommodation, Universal Design for Learning often fails to gain traction with higher education faculty and administrators. This occurs despite the fact that UDL promises better outcomes for all learners—those with diverse life experiences, cultural and language backgrounds, learning styles, and disabilities. In the past, standalone workshops about accessibility and disability accommodation produced little interest and low turnout. There exists a widespread but erroneous perception that there are few students with disabilities on college campuses. A new approach to "marketing" UDL was needed in order to gain institution-wide acceptance and implementation. To achieve that goal, the ACCESS Project is pursuing a range of strategies. This session will highlight multiple approaches used to institutionalize UDL at a research university.
Speakers
- Jesse Hausler, UDL/Accessibility Trainer for the ACCESS Project;
Coordinator of Assistive Technology IT for the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) - Craig Spooner, ACCESS Project Coordinator