Universal Design

Here you will find programs and tools to enable you to manipulate ideas, formulate understanding, and communicate effectively. The learning disabled community is notorious for its inventions and innovations (the light bulb, the automobile, the airplane, George Lucas, Walt Disney, etc.). Learners who are marginalized in school often defy the odds and change the world. Innovation by nature occurs in the margins. 

Today, as we create and communicate with technology, these tools will empower the creative genius of teachers and students alike. We have the tools to be producers of knowledge, instead of just consumers.

(1) If we learn instructional design, we can use screen capture tools like Camtasia, SnagIt, and Jing to create our own e-tutorials and multi-media communications. (Best Screencapture Tools, 2017.) This powerful exercise takes students from passive learning to constructive communication of understanding, and results in working knowledge. 

(2) The Promethean Boards in schools come with creative multi-media software for screen capture, screencasting, graphics development, and presentations. 

(3) CAST UDL Book Builder: Free, online multimedia book creation tool. Ensures the elements of Universal Design for Learning to effectively reach all students, regardless of disability. 

CAST

UDL Book Builder ™

Enables educators to develop their own digital books to support reading instruction literacy learning. Learn More

Grades: All Grades

(4) CAST UDL Science Writer: Free, online multi-media report creation tool. Breaks down report into sections. Manages drafts, revisions, edits. Text-to-speech feedback, reads your work aloud. Journal and checklists for notes and data. Dictionary, grammar and spell check. Animated helpers and examples.

(5) Lots of CAST resources for students, parents and teachers: 

CAST

UDL Curriculum Self-Check ™

Helps educators build options and flexibility into each element of the curriculum in order to reach and engage all students. Learn More

Grades: All Grades

CAST

UDL Editions ™

Publicized by Google around the world, UDL Editions is a model for presenting classic texts from world literature in a flexible online interface with just-in-time, individualized supports for struggling and expert readers alike. Learn More

Grades: 5 and up

CAST

UDL Guidelines

A set of principles for designing curriculum that provides all individuals with equal opportunities to learn. Created at CAST and housed by the National Center on Universal Design for Learning. Learn More about the National Center on UDL

Grades: Educators

CAST

UDL Lesson Builder ™

Helps educators to design lessons/units of study to meet the diverse learning challenges, skills, and background of students in today's classrooms. Learn More

Grades: All Grades

CAST

Universal Design for Learning Ebook (free)

Launched: 08/17/2009

Ebook introduces the theory, principles, and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for teachers. Meyer, A., Rose, D.H., & Gordon, D. (2014). Universal design for learning: Theory and Practice.Wakefield, MA: CAST Professional Publishing.Grades: Educators

CAST

Strategy Tutor ™

Publicized by Google around the world, Strategy Tutor supports students and teachers doing reading and research on the Internet. Learn More

Grades: 5 and up

Universal Design for Learning