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Universal Design for Learning: Critiques of UDL

Accessibility isn’t Inclusivity

It is tempting to offer up UDL as the solution to all classroom issues – after all the term ‘Universal’ implies it’s suitable for all learners –  but it is impossible to address the true diversity of a learning space with one method. 

  • Accommodations
    • There are times when individual accommodation is the best path.  
  • Intersectionality  
    • UDL addresses ability/disability, with a strong focus on physical modality, vision and hearing. Many scholars have pointed out its limitations in addressing race, gender, sexuality, and other dimensions of the human experience.  

Alternative Frameworks  

There are a number of organizations and individuals who have expanded on the principles of UDL or imagined new frameworks to address some of shortcomings of UDL. Each framework has its own strengths and challenges.  

The Universal Instructional Design framework developed by the University of Guelph expands upon the principles of UDL highlighting seven tenets that must be upheld to create accessible and inclusive learning spaces: 

  • Be accessible and fair 
  • Be straightforward and consistent 
  • Provide flexibility in use, participation and presentation 
  • Be explicitly present and readily perceived 
  • Provide a supportive learning environment 
  • Minimize unnecessary physical effort requirements 
  • Ensure a learning space that accommodates both students and instructional methods 

A colourful star shaped graphic listing the seven aspects University of Guelph’s Universal Instructional Design framework. The seven elements are: accessible, flexible, consistent, explicit, supportive, minimize effort, learning space.

The DO-IT framework promotes designing learning environments that are usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation. To achieve this educators should consider three aspects of learner experience: usability, accessibility and inclusivity.

The Universal Design of Instruction triangle showing Universal Design as the central component and the three corners labelled Usable, Accessible and Inclusive, which are the three tenets of this model.

The Inclusive Design Guide is not a framework but a curated collection of insights, practices, tools and activities that promote spaces where all people feel welcomed, invited and can confidently contribute.  

Screenshot of The Inclusive Design Guide website landing page.

References

Burgstahler, S. (n.d.). Universal Design of Instruction (UDI): Definition, principles, guidelines, and examples. Universal Design of Instruction (UDI): Definition, Principles, Guidelines, and Examples | DO-IT. https://www.washington.edu/doit/universal-design-instruction-udi-definition-principles-guidelines-and-examples  

OCAD University . (n.d.). The Inclusive Design Guide. Welcome to The Inclusive Design Guide | The Inclusive Design Guide The Inclusive Design Guide. https://guide.inclusivedesign.ca/  

University of Guelph . (n.d.). Universal Instructional Design. Universal Instructional Design – UofG OpenEd. https://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/Universal-Instructional-Design