UDL

& Accessibility in Higher Ed

Prepared by Deb Castiglione (University of Kentucky) and Antonia Levy (CUNY School of Professional Studies)

STAGE 1 - Address sensory accessibility

Review for barriers to learners with sensory deficits
Ensure that equal or equitable access is incorporated, or an alternative is provided

Use captioned video

Procure captioned video
Add captions to owned / recorded
video
Seek permission to caption un-
captioned or auto-captioned video

Use Alt text for images, graphics, etc.

Only use images that add meaning
Add an image title
Add longer descriptions if complex,
e.g. for charts or graphs

Use accessible documents

Use styles to create documents
Apply headings in sequential
order, e.g. beginning with 1
Do not use color as the only way
to convey meaning
Use Save As in Word to create
accessible PDFs

Clear, clean and simple

Avoid the use of jargon and
acronyms
Use consistent layout and navigation
Use high contrasting color for
background/ foreground
Chunk content, e.g. 5-7 min video

STAGE 2 Apply UDL Principles through multiple strategies

Multiple means of engagement (interest, motivation)

Multiple means of representation (content, assignments)
Multiple means of expression (knowledge, assessment)

STAGE 3 Consider diversity of learners in higher education

Sensory barriers/concerns

visual or hearing impairments

Physical disabilities

keyboard user; nonambulatory; temporary; permanent

Cognitive disabilities

traumatic brain injury; executive functioning; processing

Learning disabilities

reading, writing, math

Learning styles/preferences

visual; auditory; tactile; academic strengths/weaknesses

Language/communication

English as Second Language learner; international learner

Time & space barriers

time zones; employment; family

Invisible disabilities/ mental health PTSD; anxiety; depression

Prior experiences & knowledge

cultural; rural; academic; first generation

UDL & Accessibility Resources

Instruction
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST): http://www.cast.org/
UDL on Campus Website: http://udloncampus.cast.org/
National Center on Universal Design for Learning: http://www.udlcenter.org
Resource List from Center of Universal Design in Education: http://goo.gl/vw5QmO

Information Technology
Resource List from Center of Universal Design in Education: http://goo.gl/DTj54w
Accessible Technology Website from ADA National Network: http://accessibletech.org/
U of Wash. IT Accessibility Guidelines: http://www.washington.edu/accessibility/guidelines/

Web Design
Web Accessibility Guidelines: http://goo.gl/GZwn7F
W3C Accessibility Mission: http://www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool: http://wave.webaim.org/

Student Services
Resource List from Center of Universal Design in Education: http://goo.gl/ff32Ov
Center on Disabilities at CSUN: http://www.csun.edu/cod/index.php

Physical Spaces
Resource List from Center of Universal Design in Education: http://goo.gl/tSr5rJ

UDL / Accessibility Organizations

Association on Higher Education and Accessibility (AHEAD): http://www.ahead.org/
Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN): http://www.athenpro.org/

CUNY Resources
Overview of CUNY-wide accessibility projects: http://goo.gl/4F8iPb
CUNY Assistive Technology Services (CATSWeb): http://catsweb.cuny.edu/
CUNY Reasonable Accommodations Guide: http://goo.gl/YNFbHc
Council on Student Disability Issues (COSDI): http://catsweb.cuny.edu/?page_id=880