Universal Design Means Learning Toys for Everyone

2017 Michigan Council for Exceptional Children


Who: Dr. Julia VanderMolen, CHES, Google Educator I and II

Assistant Professor-Public Health, Grand Valley State University

When: March 2017

Where: Kalamazoo, MI.

Presentation Abstract

We have made buildings accessible to all, but the curriculum is still not accessible to all. Join me to take a look at Universal Design for Learning and its relevance to early childhood education, optimizing teaching and learning for EVERY child. With a focus on adaptive toys and early learning, we will explore low tech through high tech learning and play, collaboration and UNIVERSAL access to early learning.

Session Objectives

  • Participants will understand the definition of Universal Design.

  • Participants will be able to describe what UD means to Early Childhood.

  • Participants sill be able to identify various adaptive Toys and Learning.

  • Participants will understand the connection between UD and Collaboration.

Session Handouts

Toy List Handout

Universal Design Toy Questions

Universal Design Adaptive Books List

References/Research

Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (2012). What is Universal Design. Retrieved http://universaldesign.ie/What-is-Universal-Design/

Cast.org.(2015). About Universal Design for Learning. Retrieved http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html

Rapp, W. H., & Ebooks Corporation. (2014). Universal design for learning in action: 100 ways to teach all learners. Rochester, New York: Brookes Publishing.

National Center for Universal Design for Learning-http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/whatisudl

Websites

PlayCore's Inclusive Playgrounds

Inclusive Play

National Lekotek Center: AblePlay