UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING - APPLICATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A GREEK PARADIGM

Abstract

Universal Design supported by literature as an appropriate and effective procedure can help all students including the learning disabled ones to improve their accessibility to written materials (Evans et al., 2010; Rose & Meyer, 2002). The present study reports a UDL application in higher education. More specifically, it aimed to investigate if the revision of the study guide of a Pedagogical Department according to the UDL principles helped the students to improve their access to crucial information regarding their studies. A quantitative method based on pre and post evaluation of the UDL revision of the study guide was employed. The results showed that this revision was regarded by the students as helpful and efficient as they could be well-informed about their studies and ready for making decisions related to their future careers. These findings could have an important impact on higher education course design, instruction and the produced academic written stuff, and finally, the university could become more accessible for all students. Key words: higher education, learning disabilities, universal design for learning.