Universal Design for Learning: Policy Challenges and Recommendations

Overview & Synopsis

The inclusion of universal design for learning (UDL) in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act 2008 (HEA) demonstrates its escalating importance in the education field. UDL concepts and practices are not yet broadly integrated into all education policy. Policy has been slow to catch up to this quickly growing practice. To address that disparity, Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) held a policy forum calling upon general and special educators including representatives of early childhood, related and pupil services, local and state administrators, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and national organizations to first identify challenges to UDL implementation and then develop policy recommendations to address those challenges. Project Forum conducted this policy forum as part of its cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in December 2008. Appended are: (1) Examples of Programs and Resources for Implementing UDL Practices; and (2) Face-to-Face Participants. (Contains 21 footnotes and 1 table.)