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

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

3

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)

4

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

5

Universal Design PrinciplesUniversal design principles can be applied to design of instruction(Burgstahler, 2005)

1. Equitable Use – e.g. accessible web-based materials2. Flexibility in Use – e.g. museum that allows you to

read or listen to information 3. Simple and Intuitive – e.g. clear and easy to

understand instructions4. Perceptible Information – e.g. textbook with digital

option which can be read using assistive technology 5. Tolerance for Error – e.g. educational software with

guidance and feedback, option to return to main menu6. Low Physical Effort – e.g. use word processor 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use – e.g. seating

arrangement that allows you to see and face speakers

6

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.

• It’s the right thing to do.

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?

7

8

Specific Academic Applications

• Large lectures• Group/work discussion

s• 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/Faculty/Strategies/Universal/

9

Questions/Discussion

10

Contact Information

Melissa Repa, SSWD Co-Director & ATI Project Coordinator, repam@csus.edu

Jennifer Wood, SSWD Support Services Coordinator, woodj@csus.edu

Cryssel Vera, Academic Computing Resources, ATI Instructional Materials Specialist, cvera@csus.edu