Universal Design
UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning. Visit the National Center for Universal Design for Learning. Universal is not uniform but encompasses enough variation in instruction to reach diverse learners. UDL harnesses the power of individual differences in experience, interest, engagement, perception, processing, responses and expression. UDL adjusts support for optimal engagement and learning. UDL means you don't have to "dumb down the curriculum" because UDL meets the students' needs with just-in-time help, text aloud, vocabulary support, ESL support, and multiple representations covering all of the learning pathways. UDL is defined in the US Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Sec. 103 (24).
NIMAS stands for National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards.
AIM stands for Accessible Instructional Materials.
Visit the National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (aem.cast.org)
Open Educational Resources: http://aem.cast.org/creating/open-educational-resources-oers.html#.Vrquz7yDmK0
Since 2006, the American Association of Publishers has created XML digital source files of their textbooks. These NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards) versions of text books address the national need to increase the availability and timely delivery of print instructional materials in accessible formats to students with visual, print and learning disabilities.
Examples: Universal Design of College Algebra
CAST (cast.org) exists to transform education through Universal Design for Learning. UDL is a framework for designing curricula that enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning. UDL provides rich supports for learning and reduces barriers to the curriculum while maintaining high achievement standards for all.
FREE CAST TOOLS for teachers, students and parents:
