The Tools
We have curated a series of tools and resources to help you in your UDL Journey. You can find all of them on this page, organized by media type.
For greater relevance, you can also find them connected to each of the four stages of “The Path” to implementing UDL presented in this UDL Journey Guide.
Additionally, you can head on over to the “The People” section to learn more about the California UDL Coalition and the CA UDL Network, where you may also find additional resources.
Books & Articles:
UDL Now! A Teacher’s Guide to Applying Universal Design for Learning in Today’s Classrooms
In the third edition of her excellent book, Katie Novak provides teachers with an overview of UDL, relates it to MTSS and Differentiated Instruction, and provides actionable information to start practicing UDL.
Your UDL Journey: A Systems Approach to Transforming Instruction
Chapters 1-4 of the book are particularly relevant to this stage of the work as they lay out the big picture and the why, ways to measure readiness, and guidance for building consensus. Included are numerous examples from schools and districts that have successfully implemented UDL.
6 Myths About Universal Design for Learning
From internationally recognized UDL expert Katie Novak, this blog sets out to debunk, “several myths and misconceptions about UDL that are common among educators. Addressing these myths may be helpful in implementing the framework in your school or district.”
Podcast:
Creating a Shared Vision
In this 30 minute podcast, Dr. Bonnie Stachowiak describes the essential elements and actionable strategies for creating a shared vision.
Professional Learning & Capacity Building:
UDL for Educator Empowerment
This learning path’s goal is to empower California educators with the needed knowledge and skills to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) holistically to their practices as professionals. Designed in partnership with teachers, for teachers, this path contains 6 modules of multimedia content, opportunities for reflection and community, and links to resources to deepen your learning and practice.
UDL for School and District Leaders
In this learning path, we've distilled the essential understandings necessary to begin planning for and implementing Universal Design for Learning. It's a 30,000 ft. view of UDL - the why, what, and how - and guidance for beginning your journey as a school or district.
UDL 101: Learn the Basics of Universal Design for Learning
OCDE provides in-person, virtual, and asynchronous options to help you:
Understand the connection between UDL, differentiation and the
California Multi‐Tiered System of Support (CA MTSS); Learn about the three principles of UDL (Representation, Action/Expression, Engagement); Explore strategies and resources for utilizing UDL to support all students across content areas
UDL Basics
From SJCOE: Our UDL Basics Modules provide a complete overview of the Universal Design for Learning Framework. Learn how this framework can transform learning opportunities for all students.
UDL for Admins
From SJCOE: The Site Administrators’ Network connects site administrators with current topics and helpful resources in an atmosphere of co-learning, support, and collaboration
UDL Implementation
This 1-day training guides schools to plan for implementation at multiple levels.
UDL in Under 60 Minutes
Interested in UDL but pressed for time? Well, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has you covered! This introductory course has been designed to succinctly and effectively communicate why UDL is so important to 21st-century education, the core tenets of what UDL is and is not, and how to begin your UDL journey.
This course is hosted on LearningDesigned.org and is provided at no cost.
UDL Boot Camp Online
Based on the Los Angeles County Office of Education's 2-day in-person workshop, this course will support participants to learn everything they need to begin their UDL journey. The course contains content in a variety of formats, review exercises to reinforce learning, and quizzes to ensure you have the foundational knowledge to move through the sections.
Design to the Edges: UDL 101
From FCOE: This session will cover foundational knowledge of UDL, lesson planning with a UDL lens, and what UDL looks like and feels like in the classroom.
Design to the Edges: UDL for English Learners
From FCOE: This session focuses on the needs of English Learners and Long Term English Learners and will cover foundational knowledge of UDL, lesson planning with a UDL lens, and what UDL looks like and feels like in the classroom.
The Assessment Playbook: A UDL Approach
This Playbook supports K–12 educators in planning and implementing assessments in order to inform the design of instruction. Effective design and implementation of assessments help ensure that all students are able to grow and develop as learners—so they are empowered to build on their strengths and improve on areas of challenge.
Inclusive Literacy by Design
LACOE's Inclusive Literacy by Design unit builds capacity among educators to universally design learning experiences to be inclusive and promote student agency, while maintaining rigor and grade-level expectations. They offer a variety of professional learning resources and experiences for implementing UDL.
Programs:
Supporting Inclusive Practices
The Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) program supports education agencies to become inclusive environments for all students. This grant program provides multi-year technical assistance and professional learning support, including the development of a shared vision for an inclusive education.
Inclusive Literacy By Design - Four Ways to Engage: Literacy Across Disciplines
The California Coalition for Inclusive Literacy (CCIL), a collaboration between CAST, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), and the California Department of Education (CDE), supports the design and delivery of Universally Designed professional learning in literacy development.
Open Access - Support for all Learner in K-12 settings.
Open Access offers professional development and resources for educators, administrators, and organizations to enhance their understanding of Universal Design for Learning and how to leverage accessible and assistive technologies to meet the needs of ALL learners in K-12 settings
Tools & Assessments:
UDL Look-Fors
This resource was developed by the Open Access, an initiative led by Placer County SELPA and funded by the California Department of Education and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.
UDL-SICC Readiness Indicators
How ready is your organization to take on this work? CAST developed this tool using their UDL-SICC implementation criteria, the same criteria we used as guidance for this site. Your team can use this tool as part of your needs assessment to gauge current readiness and identify areas of both strength and challenge.
Fidelity Integrity Assessment
The SWIFT-Fidelity Integrity Assessment (SWIFT-FIA) is a self-assessment tool schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) can utilize to monitor their progress in relationship to the SWIFT domains and features.
This tool may be familiar to you if you’ve already been implementing MTSS as part of the CA MTSS Initiative.
The UDL-SICC Criteria
The UDL-SICC is a robust tool for guiding decisions and supporting ongoing schoolwide growth, whether your team is just getting started or has experienced many years of successful UDL implementation.
Webinars & Videos:
UDL in 30: A Question of Access and Equity for All
In less than 30 minutes, this video provides an overview of the why, what, and how of Universal Design for Learning. There’s also a companion padlet of resources.
Why you should be an expert learner (for Kids!)
This video speaks directly to students about the value of expert learning
Transforming Inclusive Education
In this funny, insightful video, Shelley Moore uses the analogy of bowling to describe how educators need to change their aim to better support students in the margins.