Universal Instructional Design versus Universal Design for Learning

What is it?

Universal Instructional Design (UID) is a very similar to UDL in that it is a set of principles aimed at creating more inclusive and accessible learning environments. UID is based on seven principles.

The Seven Principles of UID describe how instructional materials and activities should:

• be accessible and fair,
• be flexible,
• be straightforward and consistent and
• be explicit,

and how the learning environment should:

• be supportive,
• minimize unnecessary physical effort, and
• accommodate students and multiple teaching methods.

UID resources:

University of Guelph website on UID

Universal Design at University of Washington

Universal Design of Instruction, Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D., University of Washington

Facultyware: Tools for Universal Design of Instruction at the University of Connecticut