Universal Design for Learning: Principles, Framework, and Practice

Third Edition of Anne Meyer and David Rose's Foundational Text

Authors:

Anne Meyer and David H. Rose

Editor:

David Gordon

Pre-order from CAST (Ships late-August) Check Kobo for the EPUB

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a practical, research-based framework that enables all educators to respond to individual learning differences through the design of inclusive goals, methods, materials, assessments, and environments.

Universal Design for Learning: Principles, Framework, and Practice, Third Edition—the latest update of Anne Meyer and David Rose’s foundational text, Universal Design for Learning: Theory & Practice (2014)—provides an accessible introduction to the foundations of the framework and the many ways UDL can help shape inclusive learning design. This new edition for 2025 offers a deep dive into UDL’s evolving landscape, with new chapters exploring CAST UDL Guidelines version 3.0. These new additions detail the comprehensive process to update the Guidelines, what’s changed and what hasn’t, and new developments in real-world implementation.

Throughout the book, readers will find insights into accessible materials, universally designed learning environments, the critical role of context, along with new strategies for scaffolding and UDL implementation. Case stories and reflections including fresh examples of UDL Guidelines 3.0 being brought to life reveal the many ways UDL profoundly impacts K-12 settings, postsecondary environments, career preparation programs, and more.

Universal Design for Learning: Principles, Framework, and Practice, Third Edition begins shipping mid-August 2025 in paperback ($38, 228 pages, ISBN: 9781943085392) and coming soon in EPUB ($38 ISBN: 9781943085156) format.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Variability of Learners
Chapter 2: The UDL Framework
Chapter 3: The CAST UDL Guidelines
Chapter 4: How Educators Are Bringing the Updated Guidelines to Life
Chapter 5: The Key Components of Learning Design
Chapter 6: Accessibility Is a Cornerstone of UDL
Chapter 7: Stories from the Field—or Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom
Appendix A: A Classic Example of Exercising the Networks
Appendix B: The CAST UDL Guidelines 3.0
References
Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
About CAST
Index

ISBN

9781943085392

Copyright Year

2025

Page Count

224

ISBN

9781943085156

Copyright Year

2025

About the Authors & Editor

The Authors

This book is the third edition of Anne Meyer and David H. Rose’s foundational text Universal Design for Learning: Theory & Practice (2014), written by . Meyer and Rose founded CAST in 1984 and served as its co- executive directors until 2005. Today both continue to serve on CAST’s Board of Directors. Dr. Meyer is Chief of Education Design Emeritus and Dr. Rose is Chief Education Officer Emeritus. They are the principal architects of the Universal Design for Learning framework.

The Editor

David Gordon joined CAST in 2004, founded CAST Professional Publishing in 2014 to produce Universal Design for Learning: Theory & Practice with David Rose and Anne Meyer, and served as CAST’s chief content officer until 2024. He previously served as editor of the award winning Harvard Education Letter and helped found the Harvard Education Press. Gordon has taught writing at Emerson College, worked as an associate editor at Newsweek, and authored or edited seven books on education.