Introduction

In this section, we briefly introduce the concepts of universal and inclusive design. We also include guiding questions you can ask authors about incorporating these principles into their open textbooks.

"What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?" by AHEAD on YouTube

You may also want to review Making Ripples: A Guidebook to Challenge Status Quo in OER Creation. It's a short resource designed to expand your understanding of inequities in educational systems. It offers strategies for incorporating equitable practices into your workflows.

Universal Design Definitions

Universal Design (UD) is the process of creating products that are usable by people with the widest range of abilities, operating within the widest range of situations. Universal Design emerged from the broader accessibility movement, and movements to create adaptive and assistive technologies. It also integrates aesthetics into these core considerations.

For more about Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Watch this short explainer video by Boston College's Center for Teaching Excellence
Review the UDL Guidelines at CAST
Learn about how the UDL framework applies to higher education learning environments at CAST

There are three principles to Universal Instructional Design (UID) as defined by the University of Victoria:

Multiple Means of Representation: Includes presenting course content and information in multiple formats (visual, auditory and tactile), with the understanding that students perceive and comprehend information in different ways.
Multiple Means of Engagement: Allows students to demonstrate and connect with their learning in different ways. It can involve offering choices, incorporating interactive activities, and tapping into individual interests, passions, and cultural backgrounds.
Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Uses a variety of ways to stimulate student engagement and interest in learning course content. It acknowledges that students possess unique strengths and preferences when it comes to communicating their knowledge.

Guiding Questions for UD and UID

A key question to keep at the fore when creating an open textbook is: Who is this for? This helps to keep the human at the center of the process. Other guiding questions for incorporating UD and UIP principles into open textbooks include:

Does the book present core concepts through visuals that not all students may be able to see or understand?
Does the book present core concepts through multimedia (audio, video) materials that not all students may be able to be hear, see, or access?
Does the book present core concepts in a document format that not all students may be able to access?

If an open textbook author or publisher answers yes to any of these questions, it signals that the content may not be accessible.

Adapted from Universal Design in the Accessibility Toolkit from BCcampus (CC BY 4.0).

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design (ID) means that you're creating a variety of ways for people to participate in an experience, so as many people as possible can feel as though they belong.

The Inclusive Learning Design Handbook can help you learn more about using ID to create adaptable and personalizable open educational resources.