Universal Design for Learning
- Student engagement and achievement is improved when universally designed lessons and resources are used in the classroom (Acrey, Johnstone & Milligan, 2005; Meo, 2008; The Staff at CAST, 2006).
- Universal design for learning is a proactive approach to designing lessons and learning resources which includes multiple means for students to access content, process concepts and represent learning as well as allowing flexibility and choice (Acrey, Johnstone & Milligan, 2005; Dymond et al., 2006; Flores, 2008; Hitchcock & Stahl, 2003).
- Universally designed eBooks with scaffolded supports improve independent access, participation and literacy for all students (Coyne, Pisha, Dalton, Zepth & Cook Smith, 2012; Dalton, Proctor, Uccelli, Mo & Snow, 2011; Douglas, Ayres, Langone, Bell & Meade, 2009).
- Students with severe reading disabilities as well as students with low reading ability benefit most from universally designed digital resources (Coyne, Pisha, Dalton, Zepth & Cook Smith, 2012; Dolan, Hall, Banerjee, Chun & Strangman, 2005; Marino, 2009).