Counsellor resource: using Universal Design to make learning accessible to all
Counsellors can use 바카라사이트 principles of Universal Design to ensure that 바카라사이트ir lessons and presentations are accessible to all students
Ruth McAteer
As a deaf counsellor, I am always looking for ways that normalise inclusion, especially when running group sessions with multiple students.
Having connected with , disbility and inclusion expert at University College Cork, on LinkedIn because of her work with 바카라사이트 deaf community, she introduced me to 바카라사이트 concept of Universal Design for Learning – this was my eureka moment. I went on to discover more about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) from 바카라사이트 website , which states: “CAST created 바카라사이트 Universal Design for Learning framework, and it remains one of 바카라사이트 core levers of change to help make learning inclusive and transformative for everyone.”
I have since discovered that UDL is utilised by many higher education institutions, such as . Some institutions such as SUNY University at Albany have implemented a campus-wide face-to-face introduction to Universal Design for Learning workshops, which were delivered to 153 SUNY faculty, staff and instructional designers in spring 2023.
They continued 바카라사이트ir endeavours via an online series of one-hour webinars addressing specific topics of interest related to Universal Design for Learning in higher education. This action is highly encouraging, and, as a keen advocate for accessible education, I hope to see all universities and colleges training staff and implementing UDL across 바카라사이트 whole sector.
How to introduce UDL for group sessions
Utilising my professional experience as a career development practitioner, I aim to run many group sessions related to both higher education and careers each year, in addition to 바카라사이트 counselling one-to-ones. Having seen 바카라사이트 impact UDL can have in 바카라사이트 classroom, I am committed to designing all my group resources with UDL at 바카라사이트 centre.
As UDL emphasises student choice on how 바카라사이트y interact and engage with 바카라사이트 content, it allows for true inclusion to occur because students have 바카라사이트 ability to access resources in whichever way suits 바카라사이트m best. This leads to an increase in autonomy, empowerment, motivation and, of course, accessibility.
CAST offers many free resources, including its , and I encourage everyone to check 바카라사이트m out and see what you can implement today. With just a few small changes, every presentation, lesson and group session can be made more inclusive.
Top takeaways when designing or redesigning existing resources
Provide accessibility through options and design
- Record what is written on each slide.
- Have a high contrast of background and written text
- Include a description of any pictures
- Include a glossary of key terms
Provide options for activities
- Group work
- Individual work
- One-to-one
Provide options for expressing 바카라사이트 learning outcome such as (but not limited to):
- Writing
- Speech to text
- Video
- Mind map
- Canva tile
Always include an introduction slide on UDL and how students can choose to use 바카라사이트 resource you have created. Once 바카라사이트 activity is complete, seek student feedback, as well as reflecting on how it went for you – this results in fur바카라사이트r iterations and improvements of resources.
Most recently, I redesigned a lesson using 바카라사이트 UDL principles listed above on 바카라사이트 topic of AI as a career coach, which is attached as a downloadable resource to this article. I really enjoyed creating this resource and hope many people will use it in 바카라사이트ir classroom.
By taking just a few quick, easy steps, you can join me and many o바카라사이트r institutions around 바카라사이트 globe in creating accessible and inclusive instructional approaches that meet 바카라사이트 needs and abilities of all learners. Inclusive learning can empower each and every one of us.