Universal Design for Learning Letter
September 2, 2008
Dear Colleague:
The Department of Education invites you to consider applying to participate in a learning opportunity for districts or educational cooperatives to increase skills and knowledge in universal design for learning (UDL). “UDL provides a blueprint for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and assessments that accommodate learner differences. "Universal" does not imply a single optimal solution for everyone. Instead, it is meant to underscore the need for multiple approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. UDL mirrors the universal design movement in architecture and product development. Examples are speakerphones, curb cuts, and close-captioned television—all designed to accommodate a wide variety of users, including those with disabilities.” (www.cast.org). These activities are funded under the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) received by the Special Education Policy Unit , with grant funds renewable for up to five years.
The use of universal design for learning will support the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act which calls for states to support the use of technology, including technology with universal design principles and assistive technology devices, to maximize accessibility to the general education curriculum for children with disabilities (602(35), 611(e)(2)(C)(v)), and The State adopts the National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard for the purposes of providing instructional materials to blind persons or other persons with print disabilities.. (Section 612(a) (23))
This project will require a district or cooperative to nominate a team of four to six members consisting of general education and special education teachers and an administrative representative. Previous teams have also included instructional technology, curriculum specialists and/or library media specialists. Training participation dates are November 12 and 13, 2008, February 4, 2009 and 3 iVocalize sessions in April. All workshops and seminars are expected to be held in Roseville, MN. Teams participating will receive state of the art professional development from noted speakers, as well as mentoring from Minnesota teachers experienced with the universal design for learning principles. They will be expected to apply their new knowledge in their school or district, and to create a plan for training others at a local level.
Districts will receive a range of state of the art learning materials appropriate to the curriculum. This will include reference books, software, and appropriate additional materials. Participants will work with national leaders in universal design, including speakers from CAST. Sub-pay reimbursement will be provided for 2 days during the 08-09 school year. Details for applying and other information are attached. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Joan Breslin-Larson
Joan Breslin-Larson
Supervisor, Special Education Policy Division
Minnesota Department of Education
651 582 1599 joan.breslin-larson@state.mn.us
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