Accommodations Toolbox: Why Accessibility Matters
Glancing at the Use of UDL
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that helps all students succeed by giving them multiple ways to access content, engage in learning, and demonstrate what they know. Instead of a “one-size-fits-all” method, UDL recognizes that students learn in different ways and are motivated by different things. Built on research into how the brain learns, UDL equips students to become independent, expert learners.
Why consider UDL for middle school?
- Equity and Access: Ensures that every student—whether advanced, struggling, or somewhere in between—can participate fully.
- Student Voice and Choice: Encourages learners to express understanding in different ways (writing, speaking, creating, demonstrating).
- Engagement and Motivation: Connects students to their interests, giving them multiple entry points into a lesson.
- Future-Ready Skills: Supports problem-solving, flexibility, and digital literacy, which are essential beyond the classroom.
How UDL connects to 21 Things 4 Students.
- The Quests already have multiple pathways for students to learn and demonstrate understanding.
- Students practice choice and agency by exploring interactive activities, digital tools, and creative projects.
- UDL aligns naturally with technology integration—making the digital resources in 21 Things more inclusive and impactful.
Step 1. Thought Questions as you play the video below:
- What ideas/techniques in the video am I already using in my teaching?
- What ideas/techniques could I improve upon and use in my teaching?
CAST: UDL at A Glance (5:21 min.)
Direct link (5:21 min.)
Step 2. Understanding the complete CAST UDL Guidelines.
- Pick one guideline from each UDL principle: Engagement (the “why”), Representation (the “what”), and Action & Expression (the “how”) on the CAST UDL Guidelines Chart.
- For each selected guideline, trace from the broad principle to a specific consideration or checkpoint beneath it. For example:
- Engagement → Sustaining Effort & Persistence → Optimize Challenge and Support (8.2)
- Representation → Language & Symbols → Clarify Vocabulary, Symbols, and Language Structures (2.1)
- Action & Expression → Strategy Development → Plan and Anticipate Challenges (6.2)
For each guiding consideration, briefly jot down:
- A current teaching moment where this checkpoint is already being used.
A new application idea for upcoming lessons or units.
Share with a colleague. It may be something like:
“I noticed I already optimize challenge and support by offering leveled tasks; I want to try using digital checklists next week to support goal-setting.”
