Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j8KH0hG07935; Tue, 20 Sep 2005 13:00:43 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 13:00:43 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20050920125900.00cb8fc0@mail.psnyc.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Mariann Fedele <mariannf@lacnyc.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3775] Assistive technology and Universal Design X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) Status: O Content-Length: 3519 Lines: 94 This message is forwarded from the NIFL Learning Disabilites discussion list. Guest Moderator Dr. Christopher Lee is hosting the discussion. ________________________________________________________________ David: Thanks for the question related to UDL and AT. Much like everything else there are several interpretations out there on UDL and AT. Universal Design for Learning is a larger vision than AT. Universal Design for Learning incorporates assistive technology. If the environments are not set up to work with the assistive technology (e.g. operating systems and web sites) students with disabilities prevented from accessing information. The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University (CAST) has (I think) one of the best definitions of Universal Design for Learning. CAST’s definition states that UDL is “ …the design of products and environments with the goal that they are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” A great book on the subject is Teaching Every Student in a Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning by David H. Rose and Anne Meyer, and you can find information about the book online at (http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/). The authors break down the components of UDL which involve Origins (architecture, access, and education), Principles, Implementation (role of Neuroscience, role of digital media, and the new role of assistive technology), and Application (goal setting, methods & materials and assessment) CAST has a few streaming videos for a recent conference that have experts discussing the definitions of Universal Design for Learning and AT. Assistive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...", according to the definition proposed in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. David, I hope this response helps to clarify your questions. Please let me know if you need more of a breakdown. Christopher Christopher Christopher M. Lee, Ph.D., Director Alternative Media Access Center 331 Milledge Hall Athens, Georgia 30602-5875 Phone: 706.542.4589 Fax: 706.583.0001 www.amac.uga.edu _____________________________________________________________________________ > Hello Dr. Lee, > > Thanks for participating in the forum. Your Day 1 posting has > already given us some terrific resources and ideas to think about. > > It would be helpful to me if you could briefly explain how UDL > differs from Assistive Technology (AT). If I understand Assistive > Technology, its focus is accommodations for those who have > disabilities, but Universal Design for Learning's focus is creating > the learning environment (classroom, computer lab, counseling > space, access to print and non-print resources, distance learning > options,etc.) so that it meets the needs of the widest range of > learners possible, including those who have disabilities. Is that > correct? If so, are UDL and AT ever in conflict as goals, or is > UDL a larger vision which incorporates AT? > > David J. Rosen Mariann Fedele Coordinator of Professional Development, Literacy Assistance Center Moderator, NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List 32 Broadway 10th Floor New York, New York 10004 212-803-3325 mariannf@lacnyc.org www.lacnyc.org
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