Accommodations and Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a curriculum design, development, and delivery framework used to create equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning environments. Many Mohawk College educators are implementing UDL practices in their teaching to support the diverse needs of our learners.

To learn more about UDL, please visit Mohawk College’s UDL website.

While using UDL can certainly support a broad range of diverse learning needs, it does not necessarily eliminate the need for disability related accommodations. It is important that students with accommodations understand what UDL is as well as what elements of UDL have been implemented so they can assess their needs and move through your course with confidence.

Communicating UDL

Communicating the use of UDL in your course(s) is extremely helpful to students. Here are some ways to share this information.

The UDL Statement

Copy, paste, and modify the course UDL statement, found on the UDL Implementation webpage, into your learning plan and/or MyCanvas course page.

Pro Tip: If you are using the MyCanvas Course Master Template (UDL), a page and statement you can modify have already been included.

Providing Information About Specific UDL Practices

When applying UDL to assessments, you can include UDL information on assignment outlines, testing review/instructions, and discuss it in class.

For example: if you have implemented additional time to your quizzes/tests/exams as a UDL practice, advise your students of the average time of the quiz/test/exam and the percentage of additional time you implemented. For more information about this specific UDL practice as well as a statement you can use, visit the Additional Time for Quizzes/Tests/Exams page.

Accommodation Requests

Even with using UDL practices in your course(s), you will still have students who have accommodation needs beyond what you have implemented.

Example 1

A student has 50% additional time for tests on their Accommodation Letter. You have implemented UDL by adding 25% additional time for all students and informed the class.

In this example, the student with the testing accommodation may request an additional 25% to meet their accommodation need.

Example 2

Your course has equal parts lecture and problem solving. You have implemented UDL by posting your lecture notes in MyCanvas in advance of class.

Even with this UDL practice, a student may still request note taking support (e.g. photographs of the problems completed in class, audio recording of the lecture, a note taker) to ensure they do not miss content that may not be in the posted lecture notes.

Example 3

You provide your course content in HTML on the MyCanvas page as well as downloadable MS Word and PDF documents.

A student with an accommodation may still request alternate format if they require Braille, large print, audio files, or formats usable with their specific assistive technology.

Example 4

The quizzes in your course are online and untimed.

A student with an accommodation may still choose to write in the Mohawk Testing Centre to ensure they can access their other testing accommodations such as a private workspace, a reader/scribe, etc.