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Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational approach that prioritizes making learning accessible for all students. CTL supports faculty who wish to introduce or expand their use of UDL in their classrooms.

Resources:

  • CAST is an excellent resource for learning about UDL. They publish the UDL Guidelines, which are a useful set of concrete practices that faculty can adopt. Their higher education page “UDL on Campus” addresses all the aspects of course design and includes multi-media examples from real faculty teaching.
  • DO-IT’s AccessCollege Initiative hosts additional online resources and pays practical attention to the needs of students with physical and sensory disabilities.
  • Johns Hopkins University also has a resource page with numerous useful links.

Related Presentations

Learner Variability and UDL Implementation: Practical Pathways to Create More Equitable, Justice-Oriented Classrooms
The talk at the Center for Teaching and Learning focused on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for creating equitable and accessible post-secondary environments. Participants shared existing UDL strategies, explored ways to enhance their use, and defined strategies for ongoing improvement. The session included interactive lectures, reflections, and discussions, and addressing rigor in UDL. View Gabbie Rappolt-Schlichtmann’s 2025 on-campus presentation here.

Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning: Small Changes that Matter

The session at the Center for Teaching and Learning explored the relationship between accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), focusing on when to address individual barriers and when to redesign learning experiences to benefit everyone. Using the Accessible Dartmouth Initiative’s Practicing UDL in Higher Education workbook, participants explored manageable strategies and educational technology tools that can improve access without requiring a complete course overhaul. The session was facilitated by Michelle Kovarik and Sheila Reagan and co-sponsored by Academic Technology. View introductory slides and academic technology  from our September 10th 2026 event on Accessibility and UDL.

Books in the CTL Library

Looking for more information? Check out books in the CTL Library on UDL Collection.