UDL Reporting Criteria

Researchers, practitioners, and community members have recognized the importance of articulating the design and implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) based practices with clarity, consistency, and detail in order to advance UDL implementation and evidence gathering (Rao et al, 2014; Ok et al, 2016).

Documenting Essential Components of UDL

The UDL Reporting Criteria (UDL RC) focus on essential aspects that can/should be present when describing a study or practice that is UDL-based. The criteria are worded to capture whether essential elements of the UDL (e.g., reducing barriers, designing proactively, applying UDL guidelines) are present. By keeping the RCs focused on these essential elements, the criteria are not prescriptive or restrictive, allowing researchers and practitioners to apply the UDL framework in varied and flexible ways relevant to their specific practices and interventions.

Created by an international working group of the Universal Design for Learning and Research Network (UDL-IRN) Research Committee, the UDL Reporting Criteria provides guidelines for reporting on UDL design, application, and implementation. The UDL Reporting Criteria can be used by researchers and practitioners to clearly articulate and document UDL-based components of their studies or educational activities, guiding the design and reporting of inclusive practices and interventions.

The UDL Reporting Criteria

The UDL Reporting Criteria comprise three areas of focus, each containing 2-3 criteria, and can be used anywhere the design and implementation of UDL-based interventions and practices occurs.

Learner Variability and Environment

UDL provides guidelines for addressing learner variability and designing learning environments that are supportive for all learners. These criteria relate to descriptions of the learner and the environment in relation to UDL.

Proactive and Intentional Design

UDL highlights the importance of purposefully designing curricula and instructional settings from the start. These criteria relate to the intentional use of UDL in the design phase.

Implementation and Outcomes

These criteria relate to how the UDL-based practice is implemented and how outcomes connect back to the UDL-based practice.