Seen, Heard, and Valued: Universal Design for Learning and Beyond

Every classroom is filled with amazing individuals who vary wildly in who they are as people. This includes BIPOC students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students who are new to the language of instruction, have learning differences, are experiencing poverty, need behavioral supports, have had poor previous instruction, or have endured trauma. This diversity is an asset that educators can leverage when we ensure our instruction is tailored to the strengths and needs of each student. That?s where Universal Design for Learning (UDL) comes in.

UDL ensures all students succeed by enabling educators to remove barriers to learning. Supported by neurological and education research, the tenets of UDL challenge educators to engage students and sustain their interest, represent instruction in accessible ways, and support students to demonstrate their learning in multiple ways. This guide shows how UDL can serve as a pathway to equitable learning outcomes through

Practical advice for creating safe, affirming learning environments that encourage belonging

Demonstration of how to represent content, concepts, and skills in different ways to provide students with multiple modes of expression

Tables for planning and reflection

Graphics illustrating multiple means of expression

By applying UDL principles, educators can anticipate potential barriers to learning and adjust from the start, driving the accessibility of learning for all students by meeting the needs of each student.