Awareness of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Ontario Higher Education and Its Impact on Students\u27 Overall Success

Abstract

Learning is a universal experience; however, individuals differ in their learning styles, preferences, and pace. Educational institutions have acknowledged this diversity and adopted strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is a framework developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), which is grounded in multidisciplinary research and cognitive learning theories. It focuses on how the brain processes information and learns in different ways. The primary goal of UDL is to eliminate learning barriers and create more inclusive learning environments (Hayward et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2022). A review of the literature highlights various faculty perspectives on UDL. However, limited research explores students\u27 perspectives and the impact of UDL on their academic experiences, particularly in Canada. To address this gap, this study explored the following questions: What is the level of awareness among students in post-secondary institutions within Ontario regarding UDL and its principles? What are students perception about UDL’s impact on their academics and overall learning experience