UDL attempts to provide access to learning and educational materials to the widest possible audience. The tables below illustrate some common characteristics and how UDL might address them.
Physical Characteristics that may be addressed by UDL
Characteristic
Examples
UDL Approach
Size
Height, Weight
Use tables, more flexible desks, adjustable height lab stations
Mobility
Ability to reach, bend, move from place to place
Add ramps and elevator, place items at different heights
Manual Dexterity
Left or right handed, impaired motors skills
Have flexible computer stations and equipment, provide assistive technologies and interfaces
Sensory Characteristics that may be addressed by UDL
Characteristic
Examples
UDL Approach
Visual
Impaired vision, color blindness, line of sight in classroom
Improve visibility in classrooms, better website designs, support of screen readers for online materials, follow website design guidelines. Write neatly on whiteboards.
Auditory
Impaired hearing, difficulty understanding accents or varying speech speeds
Provide transcripts and captions, include visual cues on complex animations or video
Learning Style Characteristics that may be addressed by UDL
Characteristic
Examples
UDL Approach
Require additional learning support
Need for alternative course material and formats
Provide lecture outlines and notes, one-on-one consultations, provide a method for easy repetition of course materials such as online mini-lectures
Preferred Learning Modalities
Visually oriented versus audio oriented learners
Supply a variety of formats for course materials so students can choose the best solution for themselves
Attention Span
Attention deficit disorder,
Have breaks during long lectures, alternate between lecture approaches and course materials
Communication Characteristics that may be addressed by UDL
Characteristic
Examples
UDL Approach
Language barriers
English as a second language, slang, techno babble
Provide alternatives like text and audio, captions, etc. Include glossaries to define new or different terms
Comfort Zone
Preference for text versus spoken information, ebooks versus paper texts, email versus telephone
Be flexible in how students are contacted, find out what they prefer and attempt to accommodate their preference.
Usability Characteristics that may be addressed by UDL
Characteristic
Examples
UDL Approach
Ease of Use
Difficulty navigating websites due to physical, learning disability, etc
Use consistent, easy to follow nagivation of website or course materials,
Range of technological or literary skills
Student discomfort with some technologies,
Provide alternatives such as text and video content.