External Resources on Accessible Education
On This Page
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) Canada
United States
University Guides on Teaching Students with Disabilities
Resources for Teaching Assistants
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) Canada
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Accessible Instruction Module for Educators
This module is focused on the research-based principles of UDL. It contains information on UDL, videos of faculty members who have implemented it and videos of students with disabilities discussing the challenges and barriers they may face at university. Contact Maureen Wideman for permission to use this module.
- University of Guelph, Teaching Support Services, Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support, Universal Instructional Design Project
The University of Guelph Universal Design Project provides a number of resources related to the implementation of UID. This project was funded through the Learning Opportunities Task Force, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
United States
- Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT Centre)
The DO-IT Centre is dedicated to increasing the success of people with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. The DO-IT website provides a wealth of resources, videos, presentations, as well as how-to guides and checklists on implementing universal design.
- National Center on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
The National Centre on UDL gives an overview of UDL and tools for implementation, as well as information and links to supporting research.
- Universal Design for Learning Universe (UDL-U)
UDL-U supports postsecondary faculty and staff by providing resources and information on best practices to improve postsecondary education for all students, including those with disabilities.
- Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
CAST is a non-profit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through UDL. The website includes information about UDL, research supporting UDL, and tips and strategies on implementation. The site also has a publication on UDL in postsecondary education.
- Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT/ELIXR)
The MERLOT ELIXR Initiative offers repository of digital case studies that hosts more than 70 discipline-specific, multimedia stories. Specifically, the site hosts eight case stories that highlight how faculty are reaching more students through diversity in teaching approaches and implementing UDL. The cases are presented in video and are from universities across the United States.
University Guides on Teaching Students with Disabilities
Canadian Universities and Research Centres
- A Guide for Professors: Minimizing the Impact of Learning Obstacles
This document contains information for faculty on how to implement accessible and inclusive learning environments. It also contains strategies to help alleviate the barriers to education that students with disabilities face at university. This document is also available in French as Guide à l’intention du personnel enseignant – Réduire l’impact des obstacles à l’apprentissage (University of Ottawa).
- Universal Instructional Design: Creating an Accessible Curriculum
This document contains information on the principles of UID and instructional strategies for incorporating UID into course planning and course delivery (University of Toronto at Scarborough, AccessAbility Services, Teaching and Learning Services).
- Accessibility in Teaching: Strategies and Requirements for Supporting an Accessible Learning Environment
This faculty brochure provides suggestions on how faculty and other educators can increase the accessibility of their course. It also provides examples of how to interact effectively with students with various types of disabilities (Trent University).
- Helpful Tips for Faculty
This website provides information to support faculty work with students with various types of disabilities. It contains information on specific disabilities including physical disabilities; sensory disabilities; psychiatric disabilities; and pervasive developmental disorders, which including Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome (University of Waterloo, Office for Persons with Disabilities).
- Faculty Resource Guide: Teaching Students with Disabilities
This document contains information to help faculty understand disabilities and instructional strategies for teaching students with various types of disabilities. This document is also available in French as Guide à l’intention des professeurs: Ensegner aux étudiants ayant des besoins spéciaux (York University).
- Asperger’s Syndrome In The Classroom
This resource provides tips and strategies for faculty on teaching students with Asperger’s Syndrome (The University of Alberta, Student Success Centre).
- Teaching College Students with Disabilities: A Guide for Professors
This paper consolidates advice for professors, by professors, in teaching students with disabilities. In creating this manual, a series of studies were conducted that consider the concerns of both students with disabilities and the professors who teach them. The Adaptech Research Network is a team of academics, students and people with disabilities who conduct research in English and French involving college and university students with various types of disabilities in Canada. This website provides a list of publications in English and French: Adaptech Publications.
U.S. Universities
- Faculty Handbook
This document lists ways in which faculty can support students with various types of disabilities through a range of activities in the classroom, such as, in labs and on field trips. It also contains information on adaptive technologies (University of Michigan, Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, Division of Student Affairs, 2008).
- Making Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: A Guide for Faculty and Graduate Student Instructors
This document discusses barriers for students with disabilities in the university environment. It presents strategies for instructors to work effectively with students with disabilities (University of Michigan, the Centre for Research on Learning and Teaching).
Resources for Teaching Assistants
- Handbook for Tutors: Understanding and Assisting Students with Learning Disabilities
This handbook provides information for teaching assistants on working one-on-one with students with learning disabilities (University of California, Los Angeles, Learning Disabilities Program, Office for Students with Disabilities).