Accessible Dartmouth Initiative

Accessible Dartmouth Initiative

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Institute

UDL Course Grant

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The Accessible Dartmouth Initiative, a collaboration between The Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning, Student Accessibility Services, and Learning Design and Innovation (ITC) began as a three-year pilot program designed to strengthen Dartmouth's educational model to better meet the needs of neurodiverse learners and help all students succeed in the classroom.

The first program of the initiative, a course redesign grant, engages faculty in redesigning courses to incorporate the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The national organization CAST defines UDL as "an educational approach based on the learning sciences with three primary principles—multiple means of student engagement, multiple means of representation of information, and multiple means of student action and expression." In addition to supporting student learning, UDL benefits instructors by building accessibility into the fabric of a course, thereby minimizing the need for individual student accommodations and adjustments.

The Accessible Dartmouth Initiative aims to integrate UDL into the Dartmouth curriculum to better meet the needs of all students, including neurodiverse students – those who learn differently due to conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia – as well as first-generation college students, international students, English language learners, and students of other marginalized identities.

August 13-15, 2024

Universal Design for Learning Institute on Action & Expression

The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Institute on Action & Expression will be held hybrid (in person and via Zoom) from 10 am - 2:30 pm, August 13-15, 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to work independently, in groups, and one-on-one with UDL coaches to design interventions in one or more courses. Institute participants are eligible for a $1,500 stipend following the completion of a UDL project.

Learn more and apply for the institute today!

Applications are due Monday, August 5, 2024 at noon EST.

Universal Design for Learning Grant

This course material redesign grant engages faculty and staff educators to incorporate UDL interventions identified in a UDL Institute into a current or new course.

The time commitment for the grant activities is generally expected to be 20-25 hours over the course of about 16 weeks.
    •    UDL Institute: 10 hours
    •    Consultations and work time: 5-10 hours
    •    Feedback collection, artifact creation, and narrative: 3-5 hours

Faculty and staff educators completing all of the following steps are eligible to receive a $1500 stipend.

ADI Grant Information