UDL in Practice
UDL in Practice showcases how instructors and staff across U of T are applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches in teaching, collaboration, and course design. The strategies are organized into strategy libraries, which align with the three approaches to UDL introduced on the UDL Course Design page. Together, these pages connect the framework with small, practical changes that reduce barriers and welcome learner variability.
Libraries of Strategies Through Three Key Dimensions of Course Design
This library of strategies is organized across three key dimensions of course design: methods, materials, and environments. Explore each area for small, practical changes you can try right away, or visit the UDL Course Design page for an introduction.
Designing Methods
Explore strategies for how learning happens—instruction, activities, and communication)
Designing Materials
Explore strategies for what learners interact with—content, formats, and tools
Designing Environments
Explore strategies for where and when learning happens—digital, physical, and social spaces
Brainstorm More UDL-Informed Strategies
Join upcoming UDL in Practice sessions to collaboratively brainstorm small, practical changes in your contexts to make teaching more flexible, accessible, and inclusive. For additional UDL events, visit the UDL Programming page.
Libraries of Strategies for Scaffolding Learner Supports
This library of strategies is organized around three scaffolds that help learners enter into learning, stay engaged in the process, and successfully manage their progress over time: access, support, and executive function. Explore each area for small, practical changes you can try right away, or visit the UDL Course Design page for an introduction.
Designing for Access
Explore strategies that reduce barriers to content and participation.
Designing for Support
Explore strategies that sustain engagement and build understanding.
Designing for Executive Function
Explore strategies that strengthen planning, organization, and self-management.
Join UDL Conversations at U of T
UDL Conversations are informal 30-minute online sessions where instructors and staff share how they are applying UDL in their teaching and practice. Each session highlights strategies, sparks discussion, and surfaces everyday approaches to making learning more accessible and inclusive.
Libraries of Strategies with the UDL Guidelines 3.0 and the U of T Academic Toolbox
The UDL Guidelines 3.0 offer a menu of options for reducing barriers and supporting learner variability. Our nine Academic Toolbox strategy libraries connect the guidelines with the tools you already use at U of T—such as Quercus, Microsoft 365, and Zoom—so you can explore practical ways to put the guidelines into action. The libraries presented below are organized in the same sequence as the CAST UDL Guidelines 3.0.
Designing for Welcoming Interests and Identities (Guideline 7)
Affirmation of learner identities, authentic choices, and belonging
Designing for Perception (Guideline 1)
Multiple ways for learners to access, perceive, and process information
Designing for Interaction (Guideline 4)
Flexible options for responding, navigating, and engaging with tools and activities
Designing for Sustaining Effort and Persistence (Guideline 8)
Clarification of goals, balance of challenge and support, collaboration, and feedback
Designing for Language and Symbols (Guideline 2)
Vocabulary, decoding, cross-language understanding, and multimodal meaning-making
Designing for Expression and Communication (Guideline 5)
Multiple modes of expression, development of fluency, and inclusive communication
Designing for Emotional Capacity (Guideline 9)
Recognition of motivation, awareness of self and others, reflection, and restorative practices
Designing for Building Knowledge (Guideline 3)
Activation of background knowledge, emphasis on big ideas, information processing, and transfer
Designing for Strategy Development (Guideline 6)
Goal-setting, planning, resource management, progress monitoring, and equity practices
U Design Learning | Teaching with Universal Design for Learning at U of T