Moving From Assistive Technology to Universal Design for Learning

“Assistive technology” refers to technology that is adapted or used to assist someone with a disability.

Shouldn’t all students with or without a diagnosis have multiple opportunities to use tools that help with learning? Every classroom has students who struggle in one or more major areas of learning but do not “qualify” for help.

“Universal Design for Learning” (UDL) means offering technology options to increase the functional abilities of all, not just the students who qualify for help through the (Individualized Education Plan) IEP process.

We should change learning environments to meet the needs of students rather than working to fit children into the learning environments. We should focus on student strengths as we look for the best tools to help with learning.Many children, in our current system, are “at risk” because standard practices in schools do not work for all. Unfortunately, standard practices make learning extra difficult for children with unique learning needs.

Is Mary cheating if she records her thoughts through dictation to a computer rather than writing with a pen? Should listening to an audio book count as reading? Could Johnny use a Netbook keyboard to complete a writing assignment? Could he use a microphone or features on his cell phone to record class notes or to find the correct spelling for a word?

Built-in flexibility can provide a wider range of learning options for students to choose from. Adapting curriculum to the student, rather than the other way around is a better way for our children to learn.

Universal Design for Learning can incorporate multiple methods of presentation, multiple options for participation, and multiple means of expression.

Rather than relying on assistive technology to bridge the gap between the learning environment and a student's learning needs, materials designed using the concepts of UDL have built-in accommodations.
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In a perfect world, assistive technology would not be necessary. We are not there yet, but we can advocate for high quality learning environments with cutting edge technology tools, curriculum materials, and teaching methods that are accessible to all.

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