UDL-CCI: UDL Credentials & Certifications for Educators & Product Developers

Project Name
The Universal Design for Learning Credentialing & Certification Initiative (UDL-CCI)

Project Description

CAST and the UDL Implementation & Research Network (UDL-IRN) are leading a field-building initiative to stimulate, support, and sustain best practices in Universal Design for Learning. This includes developing credentials and certifications that focus on product development, classroom instruction, and school-wide implementation of UDL. The ultimate vision is to meet the growing demand for UDL and how UDL addresses the needs of all learners.

The UDL credentials are available on the Learning Designed platform with supporting resources and access to a global online community. The credentials include:

• UDL Associate - Level 1 Credential: This focuses on why UDL is important in today’s learning environments. It recognizes the importance of designing for learner variability.
• UDL Core Foundation - Level 2 Credential: The focus here is on identifying core elements of UDL in different learning scenarios as well as reflection on how to anticipate variability and reduce learning barriers.
• UDL Initial Practitioner - Level 3 Credential: This credential focuses on the application of UDL in your own context. It includes demonstrating your skills using the UDL design process to plan for expert learning.

In addition to the credentials, there are certification opportunities:

• The UDL School Implementation and Certification Criteria (UDL-SICC). The UDL-SICC defines a roadmap for UDL implementation across all aspects of a school, including School Culture and Environment, Teaching and Learning, Leadership and Management, and Professional Learning. The purpose of the UDL-SICC  is to support an ambitious vision for schoolwide implementation of UDL and provide a flexible roadmap for how to achieve this vision.
• UDL Product Certification is being developed in partnership with Digital Promise. It focuses on how UDL is central to the EdTech product's design. This includes alignment to accessibility standards and to the UDL framework and Guidelines. Qualified products prioritize engagement and have multiple ways for users to build background and share learning.

All criteria in the credentials and certifications were developed in collaboration with an advisory board of school leaders, educators with years of experience with UDL, and implementation specialists who support schools and districts. The credentials and certifications were also built on a foundation of research from the implementation and improvement sciences, as well as research from across the UDL field.

Timeline

2016 – present

Funders

Oak Foundation
Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education

Partner

UDL-SICC Advisory Board

Project Leadership

James Basham, Principal
Steve Nordmark, Director

Contact

For inquiries about UDL credentials and certifications in the Learning Designed platform, please email support@learningdesigned.org.