Universal Design for Learning

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that works to accommodate the needs and abilities of all learners, eliminates unnecessary hurdles in the learning process, and improves the learning experience for all. This means developing a flexible learning environment in which information is presented in multiple ways, students engage in learning in a variety of ways, and students are provided options when demonstrating their learning. This principle of Universal Design provides greater access not only for students with disabilities, but for students with other minoritized identities as well, such as first-generation students.

Academic accommodations exist because the design of our classrooms are in some way inaccessible. By addressing issues of inaccessibility while planning your course, you can eliminate the need for most academic accommodations. Disability Services recognizes that this is not always possible based on the learning outcomes of the course or the unique needs of students.

Common accommodations and UDL solutions

Accommodation: note taking assistance
UDL solution(s):

• Post any PowerPoint slides to Moodle ahead of time
• Have a shared notes Google doc for the class where students can add their own notes related to a topic or assign two students a day to add their notes to the shared Google doc
• Record and upload lecture classes to the Moodle using Zoom, Glean.co, or Otter.ai

Accommodation: 1.5x or 2.0x extended time for tests
UDL solution(s):

• Make exams untimed or take home
• Provide alternative methods to assess student learning (presentation or paper or test)

Accommodation: distraction reduced environment for tests
UDL solution(s):

• Make exams take home
• Allow students to test wherever the want to in the building or on campus (exam would need to be cheat-proof)

Accommodation: use of computer for typing short and long essay questions
UDL solution(s):

• Make exams take home
• Allow students who wish to type in class to do so, providing ear plugs to anyone who is disturbed by the noise and teaching students how to use AI responsibly

Accommodation: oral testing (record entire exam)
UDL solution(s):

• Provide an electronic copy of the exam to the student body and show them NaturalReader

Accommodation: all video and audio content must have closed captions
UDL solution(s):

• Turn on closed captions for any video or audio content automatically

Questions

More questions about UDL? Check out the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

Want to implement UDL to your Cornell class but aren’t sure how? Contact either the Coordinator of Disability Services or the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.