Universal design for education in regular schools: a preliminary study

Universal design makes places accessible for everyone while Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles that guide the design of inclusive classroom instruction and accessible course materials. This study was conducted to know that in this era of inclusive education with universal design for learning, what facilities are available for the children with special needs in the present regular schools for education of all. Considering the guidelines for barrier free environment by Ministry of urban development, Govt. of India and the universal design for learning, a questionnaire was developed. Participants were a teacher of 20 reputed schools of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. In the physical space and infrastructure, there were various short coming in the school structure. Ramps, rails, elevators, Pictographic maps, loop induction units were lacking in all the schools studied. More accessibility was observed in means of representation, action expression and engagement. 40% of school which were mostly preschools were found to be more universal in design. The use of universal design for learning to meet the educational needs of diverse learners is a promising instructional approach. There is need for more awareness of inservice teachers of regular schools and administration of such schools regarding universal design for learning and access.