Curriculum Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities: The Promise of UDL
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Appendix B: Principles of Universal Design for Instruction (UDI)
| Principle | Definition |
| Principle 1: Equitable use | Instruction is designed to be useful to and accessible by people with diverse abilities. Provide the same means of use for all students: identical whenever possible, equivalent when not. |
| Principle 2: Flexibility in use | Instruction is designed to accommodate a wide range of individual abilities. Provide choice in methods of use. |
| Principle 3: Simple and intuitive use | Instruction is designed in a straightforward and predictable manner, regardless of a student's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. Eliminate unnecessary complexity. |
| Principle 4: Perceptible information | Instruction is designed so that necessary information is communicated effectively to students, regardless of ambient conditions or students' sensory abilities. |
| Principle 5: Tolerance for error | Instruction anticipates variation in individual student learning pace and required skills. |
| Principle 6: Low physical effort | Instruction is designed to minimize inessential physical effort in order to allow maximum attention to learning. Note: This principle does not apply when physical effort is integral to essential requirements of a course. |
| Principle 7: Size and space for approach and use | Instruction is designed with consideration for appropriate size and space for approach, reach, manipulations, and use, regardless of a student's body size, posture, mobility, and communication needs. |
| Principle 8: A community of learners | The instructional environment promotes interaction and communication among students and between students and faculty. |
| Principle 9: Instructional climate | Instruction is designed to be welcoming and inclusive. High expectations are espoused for all students. |
Scott, S., Shaw, S., & McGuire, J. (2001). Principles of Universal Design for Instruction. Storrs, CT: Univesity of Connecticut Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability.