Implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Promote Accessible and Inclusive Education

Abstract

Universal​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Design for Learning (UDL) refers to a comprehensive framework, the main goal of which is to open education to every student and create a truly inclusive educational setting and this in spite of their different needs and abilities. In fact UDL base its idea on the educators designing the educational materials and ways of instruction originally with a view to their being flexible and inclusive. UDL is not oriented to accommodate students with disabilities or special needs as an afterthought, but rather, it urges to take a look at the overall picture and develop a plan that would meet the needs of the types of students in the classroom. To this end, students' preferences and needs are considered as highly variable and through offering various means of representation, engagement, and expression the educational goals are attained.  Through such a measure UDL wants to get rid of the obstacles to learning, to create a fair learning environment, and to amplify the chances of all students for academic success. This puts forward the fact that the curriculum and instructional design should be the ones responsible for accessibility and inclusibility rather than the students being demanded to adjust themselves. UDL is a comprehensive system that only does not help the disabled to have access to education but all other students' learning experience is improved, too, thus, more and more inclusive and diverse educational settings are being ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌created.