Universal Instructional Design

Universal Instructional Design (UID) is an educational design approach that seeks to provide access to learning for all students.

Introduction

Universal Instructional Design (UID) is an educational design approach that seeks to provide access to learning for all students.

By considering the potential needs of all learners, UID recognizes and removes barriers that impede learning (Burgstahler, 2015; Davis, 2010).

Accordingly, UID is a proactive course design method that seeks to benefit all students. For example, close captioning on all video lectures provides greater access is available for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, those whose first language is not English, as well as greater clarity of content for the wider student body.

This is similar to what architects have in mind when designing a building with entrances at ground level.

The integration of such entrances not only benefits people who use wheelchairs for mobility, but also parents with strollers, those who use a walker or cane, those who have difficulty climbing stairs and ramps, etc.

Not surprisingly, UID originated from the building concept of universal design (Mace, 1991). For the educator and the architect committed to universal design, equity means access for all, whether it is providing equitable access to education or providing access to components of a neighbourhood.