Universal Design for Curriculum Design: Case Studies from University College Dublin

Universal Design is a principle-based approach to designing university teaching and learning to meet the learning needs of all students. This includes the needs articulated by the UCD students quoted here. Higher Education has become increasingly diverse, with a particularly rapid change in the last ten years. As we now strive to achieve widening participation of those students traditionally under-represented in Higher Education, and open our campuses to increasing numbers of international students, we must ensure that our teaching and learning develops in line with the student population. Universal Design (UD) offers us a framework that helps us to consider and embrace our diverse classrooms. While we may not all be experts in particular disability types, using the UD framework gives you the tools you need to take all learners in to consideration when planning and designing your curriculum.