---
title: "Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Principles"
artifact: "summary"
resource_person: "CAST"
resource_person_role: "Education research and development nonprofit that created the UDL framework"
vertical: "dei"
module: "Inclusive Teaching Practices"
lesson: "Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Principles"
lesson_key: "universal-design-for-learning-udl-principles"
source: "curated"
source_channel: "CAST"
---
# Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Principles

**Resource person:** CAST - Education research and development nonprofit that created the UDL framework

**Curated from:** CAST

## Summary

UDL starts with a practical observation: learner variability is ordinary. A course is easier to enter when the design anticipates differences in prior knowledge, language, attention, disability, confidence and available technology.

CAST organises the framework around multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression. Engagement concerns purpose and sustained involvement. Representation concerns how information can be perceived and understood. Action and expression concerns how learners practise, communicate and show what they know.

The learning goal and quality standard remain clear while the route gains useful flexibility. A diagram can accompany a dense explanation, a transcript can accompany audio, and an assessment can offer several accessible media when each option measures the same outcome.

The video is an older overview. CAST's current Guidelines 3.0 add stronger attention to identity, bias and collective learning. They should be the working reference for course redesign.