Universal Design for Learning for HE and FET in a blended learning context

In the fifth seminar in the QQI Blended Learning Seminar Series, QQI was delighted to be joined by colleagues from AHEAD and UCD ALL to discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This seminar was conducted on Thursday 3rd March via MS Teams.  

Aimed at quality assurance practitioners and those involved in academic management in further and higher education who are interested in learning and embedding a Universal Design for Learning approach into their programme provision, this seminar:  

• provided a basic introduction to the concept of universal design for learning, 
• examined its three key principles,
• showed what UDL looks like in practice, and
• explored considerations for the applications of UDL in a blended context.  

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an internationally-recognised, evidenced-based framework for inclusive teaching and learning, which supports educators to build more flexibility, accessibility, learner voice and choice into the design and delivery of programmes. It helps us respond to increasing diversity and variability in our classrooms by lowering barriers to learning while maintaining quality, giving all learners more equitable routes to success. 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is now a national priority for the further and higher education sector, with clear commitments to “a universal design for learning (UDL) approach in shaping its future provision” embedded in the Future FET: Transforming Learning The National Further Education and Training (FET)  Strategy 2020-24 and UDL expected to strongly feature in the soon to be released update of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education. 

Contributors to the seminar included: 

• Mr Dara Ryder, CEO, AHEAD 
• Mr Tommy Crampton, Education Manager, AHEAD 
• Dr Lisa Padden, Programme Manager, University for ALL, UCD
• Helena Farrell, Learning Support/Disability Coordinator, Kinsale College 

If you missed this event, you can view watch a recording of the seminar below.