UDL Programming
Explore UDL-focused programming that supports accessible, flexible, and inclusive teaching across the University of Toronto.
CTSI UDL Programming
30-minute sessions sharing UDL teaching practices.
Peer brainstorms on small, practical UDL changes.
30-minute summer sessions on digital accessibility.
Tailored UDL workshops for departments and units.
Tri-Campus UDL-Related Programming
Across U of T, various offices and units offer programming that supports accessible, inclusive, and flexible teaching. Explore current UDL-related sessions below.
Note: (M) = Monday, (T) = Tuesday, (W) = Wednesday, (R) = Thursday, (F) = Friday
March 17 (T): AODA Office: Accessible Content Fundamentals
Tuesday, March 17, from 1 pm to 3 pm, online
This session focuses on accessible content creation practices. Techniques for conceptualizing, creating and maintaining accessible documents as well as how to build these into department-wide processes will be discussed. A heavy emphasis is placed on why those techniques are important, and the ramifications of formatting decisions.
Register for March 17 (T): AODA Office: Accessible Content Fundamentals
March 25 (W) & 26 (R): The Neuroinclusive Classroom Series 3: Assessment & Feedback for Neurodiverse Learners
Wednesday, March 25, from 11 am to 12 pm, in person
Thursday, March 26, from 3 pm to 4 pm, online
Laura McKinley, Educational Developer, Universal Design for Learning and Accessible Pedagogies, RGASC
Assessments shape how many students experience learning and communicate what we hope students will learn. However, some traditional assessment and feedback practices can, unintentionally, create barriers for neurodivergent learners. Rigid time limits or deadlines, assigning a single mode of knowledge representation and expression (i.e. reliance only on written work) and feedback based solely on errors can heighten anxiety, penalize processing differences, and obscure opportunities for growth.
This workshop will offer neuroinclusive assessment and feedback strategies grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Participants will explore practical approaches to (re)design assessments that uphold academic rigour while fostering flexibility, equity, and accessibility.
Learning Outcomes
- Explore how traditional assessment and feedback practices can unintentionally create barriers for neurodivergent learners.
- Delineate key Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles relevant to inclusive assessment.
- Analyze existing assessments for potential equity and accessibility barriers.
- Apply practical strategies to (re)design assessments that allow a wider variety of learners to thrive.
Register for March 25 (W): The Neuroinclusive Classroom Series 3 (in person)
Register for March 26 (R): The Neuroinclusive Classroom Series 3 (online)
April 2 (R): UDL Conversation with Adriana Grimaldi
Thursday, April 2, from 11:30 am to 12 pm, online
Adriana Grimaldi, Acting Senior Educational Developer, RGASC, Sessional Lecturer, Italian Studies and Education Studies, Department of Language Studies, University of Toronto Mississauga
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that leverages the values of accessibility and inclusion in designing accessible, inclusive, and usable methods, materials, and environments that reduce learning barriers and welcome learner variability.
The UDL Conversations Series highlights practices and considerations from U of T staff and instructors. Come chat with and learn from our community in fostering accessible and inclusive teaching and learning for all.
Register for April 2 (R): UDL Conversation with Adriana Grimaldi
April 16 (R): AODA Office: Accessible Digital Ecosystems for IT Leaders
Thursday, April 16, from 1 pm to 3 pm, online
This session will provide IT leaders with key strategies to create and maintain accessible and inclusive working environments. Together, we will identify the critical elements of digital ecosystems that support the design of barrier-free systems and the creation of accessible content. By delving into strategies for procuring accessible technologies and the infrastructure that supports accessible digital ecosystems, we will identify concrete actions IT leaders can take to ensure the University’s systems and processes are accessible. We will also explore ways to support team members in developing the competencies necessary to meet digital accessibility design standards.
Register for April 16 (R): AODA Office: Accessible Digital Ecosystems for IT Leaders
April 20 (M): UDL Conversation with Caylen Heckel
Monday, April 20, from 2:30 pm to 3 pm, online
Caylen Heckel, Assistant Professor, Art History, Department of Visual Studies, University of Toronto Mississauga
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that leverages the values of accessibility and inclusion in designing accessible, inclusive, and usable methods, materials, and environments that reduce learning barriers and welcome learner variability.
The UDL Conversations Series highlights practices and considerations from U of T staff and instructors. Come chat with and learn from our community in fostering accessible and inclusive teaching and learning for all.
Register for April 20 (M): UDL Conversation with Caylen Heckel
April 20 (M): AODA Office: Accessible People Leadership
Monday, April 20, from 1 pm to 3 pm, online
This session will provide managers and supervisors with key strategies to create and maintain accessible and inclusive working environments. Together, we will identify the critical competencies people leaders need to make their teams feel welcome, a sense of belonging and comfortable to contribute fully. Through the exploration of concepts like universal design, emerging perspectives like neurodiversity, and ideas from disability inclusion, participants will leave the session feeling confident they can foster inclusive working environments where excellence flourishes.
Register for April 20 (M): AODA Office: Accessible People Leadership
April 21 (T): AODA Office: Accessible Content Fundamentals
Tuesday, April 21, from 1 pm to 3 pm, online
This session focuses on accessible content creation practices. Techniques for conceptualizing, creating and maintaining accessible documents as well as how to build these into department-wide processes will be discussed. A heavy emphasis is placed on why those techniques are important, and the ramifications of formatting decisions.
Register for April 21 (T): AODA Office: Accessible Content Fundamentals
May 28 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Meaning
Thursday, May 28, from 11:30 am to 12 pm, online
Join us for UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility, a four-part summer webinar series offering quick, practical strategies for improving the accessibility of course materials. Using the MOVE framework—Meaning, Organization, Versatility, and Engagement—each 30-minute session focuses on one simple design check you can apply right away. Sessions include brief demonstrations and guided time to work on your own files, so you leave with one real improvement completed. Ideal for instructors working in Word, PowerPoint, or Quercus.
Meaning: Make intent clear. Focus on clarity and purpose through descriptive links, meaningful alt text, plain language, and captions or transcripts that add context.
Register for May 28 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Meaning
June 4 (R) and 5 (F): Course Design Institute
Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, in person
This two-day Course Design Institute (CDI), offered jointly by the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) and the Centre for Faculty Development (CFD) in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, introduces frameworks and practical strategies to offer more inclusive, accessible, and flexible learning opportunities to your students using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Learn more about the Course Design Institute. Applications now open.
Jun 11 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Organization
Thursday, June 11, from 11:30 am to 12 pm, online
Join us for UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility, a four-part summer webinar series offering quick, practical strategies for improving the accessibility of course materials. Using the MOVE framework—Meaning, Organization, Versatility, and Engagement—each 30-minute session focuses on one simple design check you can apply right away. Sessions include brief demonstrations and guided time to work on your own files, so you leave with one real improvement completed. Ideal for instructors working in Word, PowerPoint, or Quercus.
Organization: Make the structure obvious. Use built-in heading styles, chunking, true lists, and clear page or module overviews to support navigation and comprehension.
Register for June 11 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Organization
Jun 25 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Versatility
Thursday, June 25, from 11:30 am to 12 pm, online
Join us for UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility, a four-part summer webinar series offering quick, practical strategies for improving the accessibility of course materials. Using the MOVE framework—Meaning, Organization, Versatility, and Engagement—each 30-minute session focuses on one simple design check you can apply right away. Sessions include brief demonstrations and guided time to work on your own files, so you leave with one real improvement completed. Ideal for instructors working in Word, PowerPoint, or Quercus.
Versatility: Make materials work across contexts. Check contrast, captions, file formats, and mobile usability so course materials function well across devices, tools, and learning environments.
Register for June 25 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Versatility
Jul 9 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Engagement
Thursday, July 95, from 11:30 am to 12 pm, online
Join us for UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility, a four-part summer webinar series offering quick, practical strategies for improving the accessibility of course materials. Using the MOVE framework—Meaning, Organization, Versatility, and Engagement—each 30-minute session focuses on one simple design check you can apply right away. Sessions include brief demonstrations and guided time to work on your own files, so you leave with one real improvement completed. Ideal for instructors working in Word, PowerPoint, or Quercus.
Engagement: Make learning welcoming and motivating. Incorporate inclusive examples, small choices, and brief reflection prompts that invite participation and support learner connection.
Register for July 9 (R): UDL Express: MOVE into Accessibility: Engagement
Past CTSI UDL Webinars
Expand each accordion panel below to review past webinar content. Check out recordings and summaries from UDL Conversations and UDL Express, which introduced the SLIDE framework and highlighted small, practical strategies for making course materials more accessible and inclusive. Visit the Past CTSI Workshop Recordings page for more materials from the CTSI archives.
Equity Roundtable: Universal Design for Learning: Engaging All of Your Students
Join Ben Poynton, AODA Officer, U of T and Cristina D’Amico, Faculty Liaison Coordinator, Graduate Student Development & TA Training for a roundtable on the opportunities and affordances of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a set of principles for curriculum development and engagement that strives to give all students equal opportunities to learn.
Exploring Captioning and Transcription Tools
In this webinar, we will explore the various options for generating captions and transcripts for rich media-based content (Audio/Video).
Interactive Lecturing and Active Learning
To lecture or not to lecture is not the question. In this webinar, we will provide tips and strategies for designing interactive lectures and incorporating active learning activities that support student learning. We will model various practices that you can incorporate into your courses and diverse learning environments. This webinar will highlight how you can use Quercus and the Academic Toolbox to support the implementation of these interactive lecturing and active learning strategies.
UDL Express: SLIDE into Document Accessibility
UDL Express offers a quick, practical way to make course materials more accessible and inclusive. The series draws on the SLIDE framework—Styles, Links, Images, Design, and Evaluation—developed by Dr. Luis Pérez (CAST) as a guide to accessibility in digital materials. Whether you’re creating in Word, PowerPoint, or Quercus, small, evidence-informed changes add up to meaningful improvements for learners.
Unveiling the New Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines 3.0: Unlocking Inclusive Learning
Join CTSI in unveiling the UDL guidelines 3.0 and considerations for implementing UDL and unlocking inclusive learning in higher education.
What’s my role in accommodating students with disabilities?
In this event, Accessibility Services will address common concerns around instructors’ work with accommodating students in their classes.
U Design Learning | Teaching with Universal Design for Learning at U of T