The Benefits Of Universal Design For Learning

How would you feel if you were placed inside a school that did not meet your educational or personal needs? What would you do if you felt that there were no equal opportunities for you to learn? All learners are unique and require different needs and scenarios to succeed. Universal Design for Learning increases access opportunities for every student. With the increasing amount of disabled students inside current schools, Universal Design for Learning should be a change that every school seeks to find.

In 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Act also known as IDEA, mandates that children and youth ranging from ages three to twenty one with disabilities are provided a free and appropriate education. About 5.2% of the total school aged population has been documented to have a disability. Students with disabilities should be allowed access to different materials or tools that could help them succeed in their learning. Inclusive classrooms should be practiced in every school so that all students’ needs are accommodated and met. Physical and mental issues of the students should be recognized and helped with the schools best ability.

Through Universal Design for Learning, every student could and will have equal opportunities when attending school each day. UDL is an approach in education to learning, teaching, and assessment that draws on new brain research and new technology through the media, that responds to individual learning differences. It is not a one size fits all approach with learning but rather it is flexible. It creates instructional goals, methods, materials, and assessments that work best for each student. It brings a huge variety of skills, needs, and interests to learning. The challenges of Universal Design for ...

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... environmental, behavioral, and presentation strategies along with evaluation methods could change a students outlook on school for the better. Without a UDL based approach students will be at a disadvantage and less cared for in a classroom environment.

In the current world today with the increasing population, the increasing amount of diverse communities, and the increasing amount of technology, disabled students are at an all time high for being able to attend school and be successful. If there are opportunities for disabled students to learn it should be put into full affect. Just like general education students, disabled students are allowed in schools to set themselves up for success. If certain schools are willing to have a UDL approach with inclusive classrooms, I believe that all schools should. It is important to make sure that no child is left behind.