Universal Design for Education "More than 1 billion of us live with disabilities. We must remove all barriers that affect the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society, including through changing attitudes that fuel stigma and institutionalize discrimination.” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the U.N. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Today’s Goal Learn about and Understand how Universal Design for Learning and Education benefits all diverse learners and all abilities! 1.Thank Differently! 2.What really is a “disability”? 3.Universal Design 4.Service Learning Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Turn to the person sitting next to you and define yourself in ONE word Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

It’s Just a Label Disabled Special Education Children Autistic Wheelchair Bound Amputee Schizophrenic ALS Patient Spina Bifida Attention Deficit Disorder Traumatic Brain Injury Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

“Labeling is definitive; once we say it then it holds meaning” (Namka). “Judy is a thin 40-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who cannot walk or perform daily basic care needs… “ Judy also likes shopping, can write, use her communication board, has a great sense of humor…. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

What’s in a label ? “Disability” does not define or is not the person. “Disability” is created by poorly created buildings, materials, bad attitudes and not by the uniqueness of individuals Stairs, text, others needing to be educated and our persistence to one way of doing things create a “disability” Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

These pictures show fashion models, not the “disabled” Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Society Creates the Problem Lack of Jobs Inaccessible Transportation Inaccessible Buildings One Way, Traditional Teaching Information not accessible Segregated education Lack of well trained staff and teachers Teachers, Staff not allowed to be creative Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

MEDICAL MODEL THINKINGSOCIAL MODEL THINKING Child is “faulty”Child is valued! DiagnosisStrengths & needs defined by self & others. LabelingIdentify barriers -> create solutions Impairment = focus of attentionOutcome-based program design Assessment, monitoring, programs of “therapy” imposed Resources made available to “ordinary” services. Segregations and separate servicesTraining for parents, families and professionals Ordinary needs put on holdRelationships nurtured Re-entry when and if normal enough or permanent exclusion Diversity welcomed, child is included Society is unchangedWe evolve, grow and get better! Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston Adapted from Micheline Mason; R 1994; Reiser 2004

Let’s change the paradigm! Let’s think differently! Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

In the U.S., we pay to kill cockroaches and spiders. In Thailand, people pay to eat cockroaches and spiders. Great change has always come from thinking outside the box. Thai Nguyen - That which is familiar, can “cripple” us, can force our thinking into a prison. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Inclusion is not... Clustering all people with disabilities into a special class or social center Giving “special privileges” to people with disabilities. Feeling sorry for people with disabilities People with disabilities as recipients of volunteer service only Inclusion can look like... Martina, a woman who is blind, sings in her church choir. Andrea, a woman with cerebral palsy, tutors neighborhood children in a local volunteer center Tyrone advocates for his own rights and teaches other people about disability rights issues Adam, who has Down syndrome, is a server at a restaurant Lee, an eight-year-old, participates in after school activities with help from her portable ventilator Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning can be the answer!

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – 1: The WHAT - Provide multiple means of representation, gives learners a variety of ways to obtain and absorb information and knowledge. Examples: Teaching uses color coding, written and verbal guidance, use of international symbols and pictures, tactile materials, speech to text/text to speech technology, video clips, highlighting text. 16

2: The HOW - Provide multiple means of action and expression provides learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know. Examples: Students develop and use flashcard visuals rather than text to respond to questions and indicate knowledge of words. Students photograph progress- before and after photographs document outcomes. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

3: The WHY - Provide multiple means of engagement includes a variety of ways that helps students attend to and engage in learning. Examples: Students can learn in small groups, solo, use of Flipcam assists with journaling, “self-reflection” and records the “what, so what, now what” Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

Universal Design for Everyone Closed Captioning is used by couples, people at the gym, bar patrons and travelers at airports Curb cuts are used by mother’s with strollers, bicyclists, people pushing cards and seniors Electric doors help when we have coffee in one hand and bags in the other. Books on tape are used by automobile drivers, students, and the elderly

entrances with no steps that make it easier to enter a building wider doorways that are easier for everyone to enter, enhance interior circulation, and add a more spacious lever door handles instead of door knobs that are easier to open by everyone single-lever controls on faucets that are easier to operate and make adjustments of water temperature and volume simple for everyone light switches and electrical receptacles located at a height that is more reachable by those who may have trouble bending over or reaching up All materials provided in large print with black ink on white paper, photographs, pictures, international symbols Repeating questions and comments when conversing in a large group Universal design: Specific features that are more usable by everyone 20

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“puff paint” to mark dials, rulers changes in schedules modified tables, desks, workspaces talking watches, calculators, rulers private, quiet space no scent policy headphones technology solutions, computer software color coded tape photos and visuals used with text verbal or audio descriptions of visuals and videos audio-recorded, Braille or electronic-formatted notes, handouts, and text instructions provided in multiple formats, including visual, auditory and tactile captioned presentations and conferences large print materials, contract enhanced (black type on white paper, simple font) 22

Body Fit: Accommodate people with the widest range of body sizes, postures and movement abilities Sufficient space between furniture, tables, etc. for maneuverability in spaces 23

Perceptible Information IKEA Assembly Instruction 24

Adaptive products and simple alterations can prevent one-third of all home accidents An Adaptive Product is any piece of equipment or device used to perform specific tasks, improve functional capabilities, and increase self- sufficiency.

Universal designs are places, products & systems that everyone can use.…with a disability, are left handed, are 8 or 80 years old, are short or tall.

Graphics demonstrate the use of products that are unfamiliar. Utensils like Oxo Good Grips offer enhanced usabili ty to all; with ergonomically designed handles and a better gripping surface without giving up a sense of "style."

These measuring spoons are easy to grip, color coded, and have large type and contrast. Cut Resistant Gloves are made out of a light-weight man-made fiber that will protect you from a knife's blade

Universal Design can be as simple as a tool which allows you to single- handedly hold, cut and lift the ingredien ts for your snack tray.

Sometimes Universal Design is simply good, common sense design.

Personal Safety Alarm & Flashlight Carry this portable compact alarm to assist in personal protection and safety. Radio Shack Pendant Remote - assistance at the touch of a button! Can dial up to four numbers or sound an alarm without having to be anywhere near the phone!

Glow Tape Achieves maximum glow at night to help individuals to locate needed articles and prevent nighttime accidents. Voice Activated Switch can control the electricity for a lamp or fan, turning it on or off at the command of your voice

3 examples…. 1.Jason making a difference and learning through real experiences! 1.Claire attending college! 1.Avery giving back to his community! Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston

volunteer artist daughter pet owner student disability advocate Disability is only one facet of an individual. Paula Sotnik, ICI, UMASS Boston