Universal Design for Learning
Online Universal Design training
UCD’s University for All together with The Learning Rooms developed online training that introduces staff to Universal Design and accessibility.
About UCD and University for all
University College Dublin (UCD) is one of Europe’s leading research universities and is Ireland’s largest university. University for All is a UCD wide evidence-based approach to mainstreaming inclusion. UCD want all students to feel welcomed and valued and like they belong. University for All recognises, promotes and values the talent, experience and contribution of all students, and aims to create an inclusive educational experience for everyone.
The Challenge
University for All wanted to train and support UCD staff to understand universal design and apply the principles of inclusion in their day-to-day work at UCD. The training needed to provide faculty and staff with the opportunity to proactively look at accessibility and inclusion in their own role. The training also needed to:
- Assess progress
- Identify opportunities for improvement
- Create an action plan to develop a whole-institution approach to inclusion
The Solution
Together with UCD, The Learning Rooms developed a one-hour course: ‘Introduction to Universal Design in UCD’. The course equips employees with the essential competencies and knowledge to ensure that students experience an inclusive educational environment. The course is made up of three twenty-minute sections:
- University for All
- Compliance and Legislation
- Universal Design
Staff will be introduced to the University for All initiative and how to use the Toolkit for Inclusive Higher Education Institutions. They will also be made aware of the relevant legislation and how to determine reasonable accommodation for students. In the final section, staff will be introduced to the principles of Universal Design and how to improve accessibility and inclusion for all.
