Applying Universal Design and Review Process for Adult Education

Whether you are involved in student affairs or academic affairs, if you design activities, courses, or programs for students, you can improve their effectiveness by applying the seven principles of Universal Design (UD). Universal Design principles comes to us from the work of architect Ronald Mace and the built environment, yet they are flexible enough to help structure program development. The UD for Educational Interpretation model was derived from Mace’s work and re-conceptualized by Dr. Carolyn Speer and John Jones in 2019. It is useful in the review or creation of any educational program, whether it is housed in student affairs or academic affairs and regardless of how large and involved or small and simple it might be. The following lessons will guide you through the four-step review process. The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the seven principles of UD from the built world and the coinciding interpretation of that principle for education.