Metropolitan State University of Denver ANNUAL ACCESS CENTER UNIVERSAL DESIGN for LEARNING Recognition Award
Award Summary
This award recognizes our faculty’s work in increasing access to environments for students who use assistive technology and/or for expanding the awareness and implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to improve access and inclusion for all students. UDL is an approach to teaching that consists of the proactive design and use of inclusive instructional strategies that benefit a broad range of learners including students with disabilities. The faculty recipient of this recognition award will receive $1,000 funded by the Office of Institutional Diversity’s Inclusive Excellence Activity Grant.
Selection Process
The award is presented to one selected faculty member at the end of the fall and spring semester. The selection committee is made up of staff, faculty and students who will be responsible for reviewing nominations and making the final selection. Nominations will be evaluated based on how the faculty member has implemented the use of UDL principles in their face-to-face, hybrid, or online course(s).
UDL principles describe a learning environment in which:
1) ideas and information are represented in multiple ways
2) students express their comprehension and mastery of subject matter in multiple ways, and
3) students receive multiple opportunities for engagement. As they relate to instructional technologies, UDL principles guide the creation of course materials that are accessible and usable by a wide range of students, including those with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
The following are some examples of UDL principles:
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The instructor offers various ways to engage students in the learning process throughout the semester (e.g., lecture, small group work, online assignments, class discussion).
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The instructor provides alternatives for students with regard to how they can participate or complete course assignments and activities.
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The instructor allows students to demonstrate what they have learned in more than one way or through a variety of means (e.g., oral presentation, written report, multiple choice exams).
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The instructor ensures accessibility for all course content and materials (e.g., accessible websites, handouts, captioned videos, e-workbooks, etc.).
Nomination Process
Nominations, including self-nominations, may be submitted by any member of the faculty, staff or student body. Nominations will be due by November 16 for fall award selection and March 30 for spring selection. The nomination form is located on the Access Center website at the following link, http://www.msudenver.edu/access and click on the UDL Nomination Form tab located on the upper left-hand side of the Access Center home page. Submit your nomination(s) by email to Greg Sullivan at sullivag@msudenver.edu
Award Presentation
The recipient of the award will be recognized at December and May Faculty Senate meetings. Besides receiving the $1000 recognition award the recipient’s name will be placed on a plaque that will be displayed in a prominent spot on campus.
