Designing for Belonging: How Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Creates Equitable Access in Higher Education

by Olivia Johnson

Fall 2025 Intern

What is UDL

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that was developed from cognitive neuroscience research, which supports a diverse range of students’ learning needs. Instead of using a “one size fits all” model, UDL encourages teachers to anticipate learner variability and design flexible pathways so that every student can access, engage with, and show mastery of the material. 

An educator using UDL might design lessons with multiple ways for students to access information, participate in learning, and demonstrate their knowledge. Instead of expecting every learner to succeed with the same task or format, educators create flexible pathways from the start. In practice, this means that students can engage with material in the ways that best fit their strengths, needs, and identities. The foundation of UDL is based on three guidelines: engagement, representation, and action & expression.

Engagement: Also known as the “why” when it comes to education. There’s a focus on each student’s unique interests and identities while also making content fun and inclusive.

Representation: Also known as the “what” when it comes to education. There’s a focus on representing a diverse range of identities, cultures, and ways of learning.

Action & Expression: Also known as the “how” when it comes to education. There’s a focus on different communication and learning methods with an emphasis on how biases can impact knowledge.

UDL Practices

Many of the guidelines mentioned above are based on practical ways that educators can provide equitable educational experiences to all students. Certain practices like summarizing what was taught in the lesson, providing alternative learning methods, and encouraging critical thinking by addressing potential biases are relatively simple ways to implement UDL in the classroom.

There are many UDL resources that are available to educators, some of which can be as simple as restructuring or adding segments into the class period. CAST, the company that created UDL, offers many courses on how to implement these practices into the classroom.

How Does UDL Support Students?

Many studies have found that UDL practices have a significant increase in students’ academic performance. Whether it be in STEM or the arts, implementing UDL practices in a classroom setting has shown improvements in students of all ability levels. However, UDL particularly benefits disabled students, and those with higher needs find success in the classroom. Below are some of the ways that UDL can benefit students.

Creates a space where all are welcome. One study found that students with disabilities found that welcoming classrooms enhanced their learning and social skills. Creating an environment where students feel comfortable voicing their opinions and ideas fosters a greater love of learning.

Encourages learning instead of memorization. By focusing on what students are interested in, students are more motivated to learn and retain the lessons taught in the classroom, instead of rote memorization. Students will be more likely to engage with the content in more meaningful ways.

Increases academic performance. Many studies have indicated that students prefer to learn through UDL practices, and it shows in their test scores across disciplines. The skill that most students see an increase in is comprehension, be it reading or mathematical, which is a critical foundation for students to develop and cultivate.

Potential Drawbacks

UDL is based heavily on the educator, so it’s important that educators are eager to implement these practices. Educators face numerous challenges in the modern classroom, ranging from financial to workload issues that place them under a lot of stress. If educators aren’t properly supported, it may be hard for them to incorporate more intensive practices.

Ways to Implement UDL in the Classroom

Simple is sometimes better. Before you spend money on a course, reevaluate your current curriculum and see if there are places where you could incorporate UDL practices. Here are some recommendations:

  • Summarize at the beginning and end of class. Studies have indicated that students respond well to summaries, in particular when it relates to more overarching skills that they are developing. Students can better remember past lessons and look forward to future lessons when they’re reminded of everything they’ve learned. You can even encourage students to summarize the lesson themselves to get more student participation.
  • Provide alternative ways to learn. Explore different ways to reach students who don’t respond well to traditional learning methods. For example, students who have a hard time sitting at a desk could learn better in alternative learning environments. This might look like dimming the lights, moving their seating placement, or even providing different seating options.
  • Find ways to incorporate diverse perspectives. See if your learning materials do a good job in representing not only your students but also the diversity of our global world. Check your bookshelf and see if their characters and authors represent a wide range of identities. Students who see themselves represented are more likely to engage with that content. If not, encourage your students to think about potential biases or stereotypes that were in these learning materials. This is a great way to incorporate more diverse perspectives while working with the materials you have on hand.

Publishing Solutions Group

At Publishing Solutions Group, the UDL framework is foundational to our mission. We don’t just create content—we design learning experiences that are inherently accessible, engaging, and effective for diverse audiences. Here’s why UDL principles directly guide our client work:

We Build for Everyone from the Start: Just as UDL proactively designs for learner variability, we develop client materials with the full spectrum of end-users in mind—ensuring resources are usable and effective from their initial launch, without the need for costly retrofits.

We Champion Multiple Means of Engagement: We help our clients captivate their audiences by crafting content that connects to varied interests and provides clear value, ensuring the message is not just seen but internalized and acted upon.

We Ensure Content is Accessibly Represented: From document structure and visual design to language clarity, we present complex information in multiple ways. This guarantees that materials are comprehensible and professional for all readers.

We Empower Diverse Expression of Understanding: Whether for internal training or external communications, we design frameworks that allow for various forms of feedback and assessment, giving our clients clearer, more nuanced insights into their audience’s comprehension.

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