Office Chat: Universal Design for Instruction

Dr. Christofer Foss, Associate Professor of English, took a few minutes the other day to talk with me about Universal Design for Instruction (UDI). He has been incorporating this philosophy of course design in his classes. This spring, Chris will be developing a course in Disabilities in Literature, sponsored in part by the UMW Teaching Center.

There is a wealth of information on UDI available on the Internet but what appeals to me in these office chats is to see how a particular professor interprets and applies a teaching concept in their own courses. Here, Chris tells how he has developed an interest in accessibility and studied to be able to improve his ability to reach out to students of all learning styles.

Rather than a specialist in education, Chris is a professor of English with a specialty in literature. Through personal experience and disciplined study, Chris has made himself aware of the needs of others including his students.

Chris Foss on Universal Design for Instruction, Part 1 of 4

Chris begins by discussing universal design in general. He uses the corner curb-cut in a concrete sidewalk as an example of how planning ahead in designing an interface (movement in this case) can help many folks – a person in a wheelchair, someone pushing a baby stroller, a bicyclist, and many others not even contemplated in advance. Rather than build the sidewalk and then cut out the sloped entrance-way, the sidewalk is built with less cost, greater efficiency, and wide accommodation by including the curb-cut at construction time.

Chris Foss on Universal Design for Instruction, Part 2 of 4

During the course of the interview, Chris gives some very practical advice on how to implement each of the principles of UDI:

1. Equitable Use.
2. Flexibility in Use.
3. Simple and Intuitive.
4. Perceptible Information.
5. Tolerance for Error.
6. Low Physical Effort.
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use.  washington.edu)

Chris Foss on Universal Design for Instruction, Part 3 of 4

One of the main points Chris makes is that it is important for all of us to do what we can in making our instruction accessible to students. Chris has done a great job of educating himself, seeking the expertise of others, and doing the planning and implementation work all with the intention of providing a greater possibility of success for his students.

Chris Foss on Universal Design for Instruction, Part 4 of 4

For those seeking additional information about UDI, the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University. Included is a great page on the history of universal design and an explanation of UDI principles.

You may also be interested in listening to a presentation Dr Foss gave on autism: Emerging from Emergence: Tracing Representations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Across Forty Years of Contemporary Film and Life Writing. http://umweducation.org/node/54

References and Related Links:

Burgstahler, S. Universal design for instruction. http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Universal/

Center for Applied Special Technology. Universal design for instruction. http://www.cast.org/

Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University. http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/index.htm

Foss, C. (2009). Emerging from Emergence: Tracing Representations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Across Forty Years of Contemporary Film and Life Writing. http://umweducation.org/node/54

Scott, S., McGuire, J.M., & Embry, P. (2002). Universal design for instruction fact sheet. Storrs: University of Connecticut, Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability. http://www.facultyware.uconn.edu/files/udi2_fact_sheet.pdf

University of Minnesota. Applying Universal Instructional Design. http://ds.umn.edu/faculty/applyingUID.html

US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Sidewalk Design Guidelines and Existing Practices, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sidewalks/chap4a.htm