Presenters: Sue Lin, Project Director Karla Kmetz , Project Specialist Association University Centers on Disabilities

1. The Future…. in Universal Design Presenters: Sue Lin, Project Director Karla Kmetz, Project Specialist Association University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

2. Workshop Goals • Who we are • What is Universal Design (UD)? • How can UD be applied to National Service and within the disability community? • A look at how people currently use UD • Young Adult Transition Corps (YATC) • Activity: How do you move this beyond the physical to enhanced program design?

3. The AUCD Network

4. UCEDD, LEND, and DDRC • 67 University Centers of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) • 38 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) • 21 Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (DDRC)

5. Getting to know you! Introduce yourself! • Name • Organization • Location • Hobbies/Interests/Something interesting about you • How you are involved in National Service • Explain how the object you picked describes you • What you hope to take away from this workshop

6. Universal Design • Universal Design in Architecture and Physical Environments – design of structures that anticipates the needs of individuals with disabilities and accommodates these needs from the outset

7. Universal Design - History American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 1961: Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by people with physical disabilities Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS) Adapted ANSI standard for federally funded construction Fair Housing Amendment 1988: Access guidelines to multiple housing units Americans with Disabilities Act 1990: Mandatory conditions for public spaces

8. Universal Design • Universal Design for Learning – design curricula with the needs of all learners in mind, so that, methods, materials and assessments are usable by all.

10. A Word on Assistive Technology • Assistive technology device is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” – Assistive Technology Act of 1998

11. Universal Design Architectural Principles • Equitable Use • Flexibility in Use • Simple and Intuitive Use • Perceptible Information

12. Universal Design Architectural Principles 5. Tolerance for Error 6. Low Physical Effort 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

13. Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users. Make the design appealing to all users.

14. Equitable Use

15. Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preference and abilities. Provide choice in methods of use. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.

16. Flexibility in Use

17. Simple and Intuitive Use Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. Eliminate unnecessary complexity. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills. Arrange information consistent with its importance. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.

18. Simple and Intuitive Use

19. Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information. Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings. Maximize "legibility" of essential information. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions). Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.

20. Perceptible Information

21. Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded. Provide warnings of hazards and errors. Provide fail safe features. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.

22. Tolerance for Error

23. Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position. Use reasonable operating forces. Minimize repetitive actions. Minimize sustained physical effort

24. Low Physical Effort

25. Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.

26. Size and Space for Approach and Use

27. Switching Gears Universal Design for Learning Principles

28. Principles of Universal Design • Principle 1: To support recognition learning, and provide multiple, flexible methods of presentation • Principle 2: To support strategic learning, and provide multiple, flexible methods of expression • Principle 3: To support affective learning, and provide multiple, flexible options for engagement

29. Plugs and Outlets

30. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Accommodate individual learning differences • Multiple means of representation to give learners various ways of acquiring information and knowledge, • Multiple means of expression to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know, and • Multiple means of engagement to tap into learners' interests, challenge them appropriately, and motivate them to learn

31. UDL and Federal Legislation • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reauthorized in 2004 and No Child Left Behind of 2001 • IDEA and NCLB - Require accountability of schools in providing equal access to curriculum by all students and all types of learners • IDEA - Guarantees a free and appropriate public education to every child identified as needing special education in least restrictive environments

32. UDL and Federal Legislation Higher Education Opportunity Act 2008 • Incorporates Universal design for learning • Creates statutory definition: • UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING..—The term ‘‘universal design for learning’’ means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that— (A) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and (B) reduces barriers in instruction,, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all student including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient. • Includes UDL in several provisions related to teacher training • Development of postsecondary teaching strategies and methods, and curriculum development consistent with UDL

33. Principle 1: To support recognition learning • Provide multiple examples • Highlight critical features • Provide multiple media and formats • Support background context

34. Principle 2: To support strategic learning • Provide flexible models of skilled performance • Provide opportunities to practice with supports • Provide ongoing, relevant feedback • Offer flexible opportunities for demonstrating skill

35. Principle 3: To support affective learning • Offer choices of content and tools • Offer adjustable levels of challenge • Offer choices of rewards • Offer choices of learning context

36. UD - Consciously or Unconsciously • Are you using components of UD in your programs? • Example of physical/structural UD • Example of programmatic UD

37. Young Adult Transition Corps • Young Adult Transition Corps is committed to improving the quality of life for youth with disabilities who are transitioning from school to adult life through activities that promote community service, community access, and social skill development.

38. YATC Corps • 10 members, 5 with disabilities & 5 without • Including: • Learning Disabilities • Physical Disabilities • Sensory Disabilities • Backgrounds: • Social Work • Occupational Therapy • English • Psychology • Art Education • Special Education • Speech and Hearing Science

39. Universal Design for Corps • Design of YATC Office • Meeting materials • Available in print, electronically, and projected during meeting • Working in teams • Flexible hours • Choice of service activities

40. Service-Learning • Preparation • Choose a project, planning • Action • The project (including any small projects that need to be done before the main project) • Reflection • Connect the project with learning objectives • Students connect to the contribution they have made • Celebration • Recognize everyone’s contribution • Party!!

41. Example of UD Service-Learning Project • The project: • Garden Party at local Senior Center • Skills gained: • Letter writing • Presentation • Time and Money Management • Teamwork and Social • Decision Making

42. Example of UD Service-Learning Project • Preparation • Identifying a need and choosing a project • Garden Party for Senior Residence Home • Breaking the project into tasks and creating a timeline • Preparing a list of supplies needed and a budget

43. Example of UD Service-Learning Project • Action • Preparing materials for and practicing activities for the event (bird feeder, garden collage, and songs) • Writing and delivering donation letters • The Garden Party

44. Example of UD Service-Learning Project • Reflection • Guided reflection worksheets/journal • Class discussion

45. Example of UD Service-Learning Project • Celebration • Corps members recognized contributions of each student • Party!

46. Discussion: Common Barriers • Transportation • Transition • Staff and corps members leaving the program need to pass on knowledge and skills • Resource Mapping • Service systems • Education system • Service Members • Volunteer Burnout • Tensions within the Corps

47. Activity Applying Universal Design – from learning to practice

48. Activity Five Groups • School administrators, teachers, and other related staff • Individuals with physical disabilities • Individuals with sensory disabilities (vision and hearing) • Individuals with learning disabilities • Community Partnership Organizations receiving service

49. Aspects of the Activity • School would like to foster a UD service learning environment. • In order to design and effectively implement the program, it requires the collaborative efforts by school staff, members of the disability community and community partner organizations. • Process: Through a series of group discussion questions, participants will practice ways to analyze universal design issues, build consensus, and create goals and objectives.

50. Aspects of the Service Program: A Cleaner and Greener Community • Implement recycling program • Working with city environmental agency • Develop public awareness and communication outreach materials • Host service days for students in local middle school