Universal Design for Learning Badge
Since 2019, the National Forum for Teaching and Learning in partnership with AHEAD, has offered a short course and digital badge on Universal Design for Learning. This course, designed collaboratively by AHEAD and UCD's Access & Lifelong Learning, supports staff to engage with the concept of Universal Design for Learning through a range of individual and group learning activities. The course learning outcomes for participants are outlined as follows:
- Reflect on the diversity of students in your context
- Gain an understanding of the Universal Design for Learning framework and how it can support diverse learners
- Explain and demonstrate understanding of the key areas of accessibility legislation which must be adhered to in an educational setting.
- Evaluate the diverse needs of learners, identifying how learners’ circumstances can impact their experience.
- Reflect on how you can remove barriers to access through Universal Design of student/learner supports and services.
- Consider how to change teaching, learning and assessment practice more broadly in line with a UDL approach.
There is a national rollout of the Badge Programme every Autumn. You can see more info on the national rollout here. In Spring 2027, the Teaching Enhancement Unit will roll out the next local instance of this course specifically for staff at DCU.
Register your interest for the Spring 2027 short course here.
UDL Digital Badge
The course involves roughly 25 hours of commitment with the vast majority of that time independent learning. A "triad" support structure is used for this course where every participant is paired up with two other participants from the course. The course is structured in such a way to ensure members of the triad can both support and learn from each throughout the course.