Universal Design for Learning (UDL) refers to "The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design" (Mace, 1988). Examples of universal design include ramps, curb cuts, textured pavement, audio books, lever-style doorknobs, automatic doors, and flat panel light switches. UDL acknowledges learner variability as the rule rather than the exception. Everyone benefits from UDL! 

UDL in education thus focuses on the design of curriculum, educational materials, assessments, and learning environments to be usable by all students, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. UDL guides the design of flexible instructional goals, assessments, methods and materials that are accessible and challenging for all learners. CATE recommends reviewing the set of principles, grounded in brain research into how we learn, developed by CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology). 

Goals  of UDL

• To cultivate successful, independent learners who are:
  • purposeful and motivated.
  • resourceful and knowledgeable.
  • strategic and goal driven.
• Help all students achieve the learning outcomes by changing the learning environment rather than the learner.