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Welcome to Project MATTERS
Supporting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Assistive Technology (AT) for All Learners

 

Educational technology is at its most useful when it is not the goal of the lesson, but a tool used to solve a problem or meet a goal!

Universal Design For Learning Defined

Universal design for learning (UDL) is a set of principles for designing curriculum that provides all individuals with equal opportunities to learn. UDL is designed to serve all learners, regardless of ability, disability, age, gender, or cultural and linguistic background. UDL provides a blueprint for designing goals, methods, materials, and assessments to reach all students including those with diverse needs. Grounded in research of learner differences and effective instructional settings, UDL principles call for varied and flexible ways to

  • Present or access information, concepts, andideas (the "what" of learning),
  • Plan and execute learning tasks (the "how" of learning), and
  • Get engaged—and stay engaged—in learning (the "why" of learning)

UDL is different from other approaches to curriculum design in that educators begin the design process expecting the curriculum to be used by a diverse set of students with varying skills and abilities.   More information on UDL can be found in the TEAL Center Fact Sheet No. 2: Universal Design for Learning at the link below.

TEAL Center Fact Sheet No. 2: Universal Design for Learning

Assistive Technology Defined

Legal Definitions from Arizona Department of Education:

The term assistive technology device means any "item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device."[20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.5].

The term assistive technology service refers to any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes the following for a child with a disability:

  • The evaluation of the needs of such child, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
  • Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
  • Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
  • Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices;
  • Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, or, if appropriate, the child's family; and
  • Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.

 [20 USCS §1401(1)(2)34 C.F.R. 300.6]

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Educational technology is at its most useful when it is not the goal of the lesson, but a tool used to solve a problem or meet a goal!

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