Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework designed to remove gaps and barriers for students in their learning. By implementing this framework and using other accessibility tools, you bring equity to your course design. Universal Design for Learning provides a set of guidelines to offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression.
Contact an Instructional Associate if your department is looking for assistance in incorporating UDL principles into your teaching. We can facilitate department workshops, and provide one-on-one support. Using established quality assurance checklists, we can also review your online and blended learning design and UDL practices, and provide meaningful feedback and recommendations.
Contact VCC Disability Services for up-to-date information on academic planning, orientation and learning assistance and services for our students with disabilities in specialized or regular programs.
The most important thing is giving students agency over their learning through flexibility and choice. Here are some useful resources to help you create learning experiences with UDL and accessibility in mind.
- Consider these ideas when planning your course online – BCcampus (PDF).
- BCcampus Accessibility Toolkit.
- VCC “Let’s Talk about UDL” video series for practical tips on implementing UDL in your course.
The following learning modules introduce the core concepts of UDL and offer strategies for applying UDL principles in a post-secondary setting.
- Learning Module: Universal Design for Learning (University of Calgary)
- Universal Design for Learning Foundations (University of Toronto)
- Universal Design for Learning (McMaster University)
- Accessible Teaching Techniques – McMaster University
How-to videos
- Creating Accessible Content (23 mins);
- Creating Accessible Word Documents (6 mins);
- Creating Accessible Powerpoint Documents (6 mins);
- Creating Accessible PDFs (5 mins).
Checklists are useful in helping you to determine if your course meets the basic quality assurance, UDL and accessibility requirements:
- Online Course Quality Assurance Checklist;
- UDL Checklist;
- Accessibility Checklist;
- Designing for Accessibility.
Other Resources
- Cast.org;
- Universal Design for Learning in Online Education (VCC Course – 30 mins);
- UDL Podcast;
- Teaching Online Podcast;
- Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone by Thomas Tobin and Kirsten Behling (Book).
Moodle is designed to provide equal functionality and information to all people. This means that there should be no barriers for people regardless of disabilities, assistive technologies used, different screen sizes, and different input devices (e.g. mouse, keyboard and touchscreen). However, it’s still important that instructors consider accessibility when adding content, documents, and media to a Moodle course. Here are some tips for improving the accessibility of your Moodle courses and course materials.
- Using the Brickfield Accessibility Toolkit in Moodle
- This Knowledge Base article from CTLR’s eLearning Support team introduces the Brickfield accessibility tools in Moodle and provides links to training and support resources.
- Creating Accessible Learning Resources (VCC Course – 90 mins, requires VCC login)
- Teaching Techniques: Making Accessible Learning (LinkedIn Learning- 50 mins, requires VCC login)
- JIBC course: Supporting Students with Disabilities in BC PostSecondary (6 hours, can be done in modules)
- Moodle’s Accessibility Statement
Supporting full participation in Microsoft Teams helps ensure that everyone can collaborate and communicate effectively. This Microsoft Support page provides an overview of the built‑in accessibility features in Microsoft Teams.
- Kaltura, VCC’s video-on-demand platform, includes some accessibility features;
- The CTLR KnowledgeBase contains instructions for Creating Automatic Closed Captions in Kaltura.