eBooks, Universal Design for Learning, and accessibility: The role of authors in increasing opportunities
Loui Lord Nelson, Ph.D.
Premise
* Those who are involved with AUCD support the
full inclusion of individuals with disabilities
* Many who are involved with AUCD write
important works promoting the full inclusion of
individuals with disabilities
* Many who are involved with AUCD are viewed as
influential leaders within the field and are
considered experts by those in the larger
community.
* Publishers are able to publish information digitally
* Publishers now have increased access to
platforms which allow digital readers and devices
greater accessibility to digital publications
* Universal Design for Learning provides the
guidance necessary to make instructional
materials, such as publications, accessible
When authors write, they do more than put words
on a page; they introduce new ways to think about
ideas, concepts, and information.
* Live links to additional information
Proposal
That authors affiliated with AUCD move toward the
development of publications which are, by design,
accessible to all readers.
*Accessible materials are “designed or converted in
a way that makes them usable across the widest
range of [individual] variability regardless of format
(print, digital, graphical, audio, video)”
* Live link to additional
information
POSTER TEMPLATES BY:
www.POSTERPRESENTATIONS.com
RAISE, Inc
What is UDL
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a
collection of researched theories and
practices from the learning sciences (e.g.,
education and educational psychology) and
the brain sciences (e.g., cognitive science
and neuroscience) that are organized into a
framework.
The framework is divided into categories
based on three brain networks which are
most closely associated with learning. These
include the affective network, the recognition
network, and the strategic network. The
networks are labeled and further clarified,
respectively, by the terms engagement,
representation, and action & expression.
These terms are identified as the principles of
UDL. Under the principles are guidelines and
checkpoints, all of which further clarify how
the brain networks can be awakened.
The most significant step in implementing
UDL is during the design phase. This is
precisely when UDL moves from research to
practice.
UDL at a Glance
David Rose, Ed.D., founder and Chief Education
Officer, describing the framework
Designing a manuscript using UDL
*ENGAGEMENT
Provide options for self-regulation
- Ability to link between chapters to clarify terms
- Ability to link from index to identified book location
Provide options for sustaining effort and
persistence
- Hold fast to the goal of each section and chapter
- Encourage collegial conversations
Provide options for recruiting interest
- Order of book depends on reader needs (e.g., begin with
Section 1 if new, skip to Section 3 if you know UDL)
- All stories and examples directly relate to the roles of
anticipated readers
*REPRESENTATION
Provide options for comprehension
- Provide link to information in previous chapter
- Provide supporting visuals with short/long descriptions
Provide options for language, mathematical
expressions, and symbols
- Interview videos provide voice to concepts
Provide options for perception
- With EPUB3, digital users have more control over the
display of the information
*ACTION & EXPRESSION
Provide options for executive functions
- Ability to move throughout the book in desired order
Provide options for expression and
communication
-Embedded multiple media (videos) and ability to use
readers
Provide options for physical action
- Can be read on multiple digital devices
* Live links to CAST’s website and further information
Examples from the manuscript
Request hyperlinking within the
manuscript:
“A table with suggested descriptors is in
Chapter 2 [hyperlink to Chapter 2, Attachment
1].”
Request hyperlinking within the
manuscript:
“[hyperlink to Chapter 4, p. 4]”
Identifying the illustration to be added
AND the alternative text that should
accompany the illustration:
“[Insert illustration of a castle and pathways
leading to a river approximately here] [Alt tag:
Represents many ways to accomplish a single
goal]”
Identifying the preferred placement of a
video:
“[eBook: Insert Video 7.1 approximately here.
“Listen to Matt Roberts talk about the process of
designing a goal.”]”
An excerpt from Chapter 7
A QR Code will be in this area on
November 18th
from Design and Deliver: Planning and Teaching
Using Universal Design for Learning (November
2013, Brookes Publishing)
www.brookespublishing.com/nelson
or email Loui Lord Nelson at:
lordnelson@raiseinc.com
Another eBook example is Universal Design for
Learning Theory and Practice. Location
information will be available on November 18th