Universal design (UD), a concept that grew from the field of architecture, has recently emerged as a paradigm for designing instructional methods, curriculum, and assessments that are welcoming and accessible to students with a wide range of characteristics, including those related to race, ethnicity, native language, gender, age, and disability.…

This brief discusses how faculty can use principles of universal design to maximize the learning of all college students, including students with disabilities. Principles of universal design are first explained, including: equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical…

A study was undertaken to explore program policies and practices related to the accessibility of American distance learning courses to qualified students with disabilities. A literature review was conducted, a draft list of accessibility indicators was created, examples of applications of the indicators in existing distance learning programs were…

This report discusses access issues related to distance learning for individuals with disabilities and presents design considerations for assuring that a course is accessible to potential instructors and students with a wide range of disabilities. The field of universal design provides a framework for this discussion. It begins by describing…