Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Learn more about the best practice tools that can facilitate equity, access, and inclusion for ALL Dickinsonians!
► Faculty:
Accessible Syllabi and Moodle and Brightspace Page Guidance
As you prepare for a great semester, here are some helpful tools to maximize access and inclusion for your diverse learners:
- How Dickinson Professors Can Create Inclusive and Accessible Syllabi and Brightspace (D2L) Pages (Complete with an accessibility checklist, this guidance is applicable to Moodle pages as well.)
- Here is a Provost team-approved Sample Universally Designed Syllabus Template for Fall '25 (clicking the link will send the document to your downloads folder)
- Samples of Problematic vs. Inclusive, Accessible, Universally Designed Syllabus Pages
- Easy tips for Incorporating UDL In Your Classes
Recorded Interviews with Dickinson Faculty About Universally Designed Systems for Class Notes
A number of faculty are using systems such as guided or shared notes that allow all students to access class content. These faculty report reducing barriers and promoting equity for all students -- not only those with documented disabilities, but other students as well, such as those with processing challenges, disadvntaged students, non-native speakers, and students contending with trauma or illness. The following are the first completed videos for a number of faculty who spoke to ADS about their systems and the the benefits to their diverse learners and themselves.
Dana Somers (Biology) - Adding Notes, Formulas, and Problem Solutions to PPTs During Class -- Then Making These Available to All Students
Jorden Hayes (Geoscience) - Guided Notes for Each Class (Which Students to Complete Individually)
Katie Schweighofer (Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies) - Inclusive Pedagogy Including Guided and Collectively Created Notes
Tricia Hawks (Economics) - Multiple Students Assigned to Upload Class Notes, Available to All
Check back here for more in the coming weeks!
Check out this UDL TOOLKIT for Faculty for specific tips on how to make your courses more inclusive and accessible!
► Faculty and Staff:
Marni Jones, Jen Clark, and James D'Annibale would be happy to provide you with individualized guidance. Use this brief UDL Interest and Session RSVP Form to express your interest in learning more!
If you attended a UDL session, please take a few minutes to provide us with feedback using this form.
WHAT'S UNIVERSAL DESIGN?
Universal Design, in a nutshell, means designing an environment that is universally ideal for everyone (as opposed to just certain individuals, such as those with disabilities).
Examples of universal design solutions that benefit everyone include:
- elevators
- sliding glass doors
- curb cuts where sidewalks abut intersections
- closed captioning on video screens (especially in places like restaurants or airports).
As a college, the more we know about and implement Universal Design in all aspects of campus, the better we'll be addressing the needs of every member of our community.
WHAT'S UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING?
► Click here, then click "About UDL" to find out!
This page is managed by Marni Jones and Jen Clark, who, along with James D'Annibale of Academic Technology, are available to provide guidance on Universal Design.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email jonesmar@dickinson.edu, clarkjen@dickinson.edu and/or dannibaj@dickinson.edu.
“Being inclusive requires that we challenge traditions and assumptions that reinforce paradigms of privilege and power that contribute to oppression. Inclusion necessitates empowering Dickinsonians to ask critical questions and foster awareness-raising dialogue to ensure that all members feel welcomed and valued and have equitable opportunities to thrive.”
— From Dickinson’s Inclusivity Strategic Plan