Towards a more inclusive Higher Education through Universal Design for Learning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5902/1984686X93377Keywords:
Inclusive Education, Universal Design for Learning, University Teacher TrainingAbstract
Faced with the current challenges of including a diversity of students in higher education, scientific literature has highlighted the need for teacher training in inclusive approaches such as Universal Design for Learning. This approach includes principles and strategies based on scientific evidence, aimed at reducing barriers to learning for all students. This qualitative pilot study aims to explore teaching strategies and practices considering the Universal Design for Learning framework, as well as university teacher training in this field, created for this purpose. Of the eight trainees, six agreed to be interviewed. The data was analysed using Content Analysis. The results point to strategies and practices aligned with Universal Design for Learning, as well as the need for pedagogical innovation. The effects of participation in the training were considered positive, and aspects were identified for the design of teacher training in favour of more inclusive higher education.
Downloads
References
ALBA PASTOR, Carmen. Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje: un modelo teórico-práctico para una educación inclusiva de calidad. Participación Educativa, v. 6, n. 9, p. 55-68, 2019. Disponível em: https://www.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es/dam/jcr:c8e7d35c-c3aa-483d-ba2e-68c22fad7e42/pe-n9-art04-carmen-alba.pdf
AŠKERC, Katarina; KOČAR, Sebastian. Teaching and the pedagogical training of University teaching staff – Practice and opinion sunder Slovenian higher education legislation. Education Inquiry, v. 6, n. 2, p. 25591, 2015. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3402/edui.v6.25591
AMADO, João. Manual de investigação qualitativa em educação. Coimbra: Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2014.
BARDIN, Laurence. Análise de conteúdo. Lisboa: Edições 70, 1995.
BARRERA CIURANA, Mercé, MOLINER GARCÍA, Odet. What Faculty Already Do: Universal Design for Learning Strategies to Support Autistic Students at University. Teaching in Higher Education, pp. 1–18, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2025.2487792
BONATI. Michelle. Inclusive tertiary education through universal design for learnig and service-learning. In O’BRIEN, Patricia, BONATI, Michelle, GADOW, Frederike & SLEE, Roger (Eds.), People with Intellectual Disability Experiencing University Life. Theoretical Underpinnings, Evidence and Lived Experience (pp. 243-254). Brill Sense, 2019.
BOOTH, Tony, & AINSCOW, Mel. (2002). Index for inclusion developing learning and participation in schools. CSIE.
BRYMAN, Alan. Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
CAST. Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. 2018. Disponível em: http://udlguidelines.cast.org
CAST. UDL Guidelines. Version 3.0. 2024. Disponível em: https://udlguidelines.cast.org/more/downloads/
DARLING-HAMMOND, Linda, HYLER, Maria, & GARDNER, Madelyn. Effective Teacher Professional Development. Learning Policy Institute, 2017.
DELL’ANNA, Silvia, BEVILACQUA,Alessia, MARSILI, Francesco, MORGANTI, Annalisa, FIORUCCI, Andrea. UDL-Based Interventions for Faculty Development in Higher Education: A Systematic Review. Journal of Inclusive Methodolog-yandTechnology in Learning and Teaching, 4 (2sup). 2024.https://inclusiveteaching.it/index.php/inclusiveteaching/article/view/211.
ENGLUND, Claire. Exploring interdisciplinar yacademic development: the Change Laboratory as anapproach to team-based practice. Higher Education Research & Development, v. 37, n. 4, p. 698 714, 2018. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2018.1441809
FOVET, Frederic. Developing na Ecological Approach to Strategic UDL Implementa-tion in Higher Education. Journal of EducationandTeaching, v. 10, n. 4, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v10n4p27
GALVIN, Tracy; GERON, Marco. Building a community of practice across an institution: how to embed UDL through the Plus One Approach between na academic and academic developer. In: Handbook of Research on Applying Universal Design for Learning Across Disciplines: Concepts, Case Studies, and Practical Implementation, IGI Global, 2021, p. 323 344. DOI:10.4018/978-1-7998-7106-4.ch017
GIDDEN, Emily, & JONES, Donna. Examiningtheimpact of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) onminimizingacademicaccommodations in post-secondary: A literaturereview. PRISM Home, 2021. Disponível em:https://prism.ucalgary.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/8b3a3348-ffe3-4392-839d-0dd0a170199f/content
HAKEL, Katja, MAGIN, Melanie.Theimpact of professionaldevelopment training onfaculty’sintegration of universal design for learning in dailyteachingpractices, InternationalJournal of Inclusive Education, 2024. DOI:10.1080/13603116.2024.2430527
HOUGHTON, Joe. New to universal design for learning? Start here! New Directions for Teaching and Learning, p. 11 22, 2022. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.20525
HROMALIK, Christopher, HROMALIK, William, MYHILL, Celestia, OHRAZDA, Nancy, ZUMBUH, Stephanie. Increasing Universal Design for Learning Knowledge and Applicationat a Community College: The Universal Design for Learning Acade-my. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(3), 1-16, 2021. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1931719
LAMBERT, Rachel; MCNIFF, Avery; SCHUCK, Rachel; IMM, Kara; ZIMMERMAN, Sara. “UDL is a way of thinking”: theorizing UDL teacher knowledge, beliefs, and practices. Frontiers in Education, v. 8, art. 1145293, 2023. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.11452933
KIM, HyunjinJinna; KONG, Yiren; TIROTTA ESPOSITO, Rose. Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: na Examination of Diversity Infused Faculty Professional Development Programs. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, v. 23, n. 11, 2023. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i11.6224
LOPES, Raphaella; SILVA, Simone Souza da Costa. Percepção de professores de Ensino Superior sobre as repercussões de uma formação sobre inclusão em suas práticas docentes. Revista Educação Especial, v. 38, 2025. Disponível em: http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X88285
MAIA, Marisa; SANTOS, Paula. Desenho Universal para a Aprendizagem no ensino superior: mapeamento de iniciativas de consciencialização. EduSer, v. 16, n. 1, 2024. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.34620/eduser.v16i1.270
MARQUES, Joana; ROSADO PINTO, Patrícia. Formação Pedagógica de Professores do Ensino Superior – A Experiência na Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Revista Portuguesa de Pedagogia, n. 7, p. 129 149, 2012.DOI: https://doi.org/10.14195/1647-8614_46-2_7
MENDOZA, Melissa.Higher education institutions as spaces of learning: why standards for faculty training should be considered. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, pp. 1–19, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2025.2502257
MERRIAM, Sharan. Qualitative Research: a guide to design and implementa-tion. 2ª ed. San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2009.
MEYER, Anne; ROSE, David.; GORDON, David. Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice. Wakefield, MA: CAST Professional Publishing, 2014.
MOREIRA, Maria Alfredo.; ARCAS, Begoña Rumbo; SÁNCHEZ, Tania Gómez; GARCÍA, Rosarío Bermejo; MELERO, María José Ruiz. Teachers’ pedagogical competences in higher education: A systematic literature review. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, v. 20, n. 1, p. 90 123, 2023. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.01.07
MORETTINI, Brianne; ACCARDO, Amy; PRENTICE, Kristen; ALHARBI, Hind. The professor of the future: Perspectives of University faculty implementing Universal Design for Learning. To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development, v. 44, n. 1, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3998/tia.5596
MORIÑA, Anabel. Thekeys to learning for university students with disabilities: Motivation, emotion and faculty student relationships. PLoS ONE, v. 14, n. 5, e0215249, 2019. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215249
MORIÑA, Anabel.; PERERA, Victor; CARBALLO, Rafael. Training Needs of Academics on Inclusive Education and Disability, SAGE Open, p. 1 10, 2020. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020962758
MORIÑA, Anabel.; CARBALLO, Rafael.; DOMÉNECH, Ana. Transforming higher education: a systematic review of faculty training in UDL and its benefits. Teaching In Higher Education, p. 1 18, 2025. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2025.2465994
RAO, Kavita & MEO, Grace. Using universal design for learning to design standards- based lessons. SAGE Open, 6(4), 2016. DOI: 10.1177/2158244016680688
ROSE, David; HARBOUR, Wendy; JOHNSTON, Catherine Sam; DALEY, Samantha; ABARBANELL, Linda. Universal design for learning in post secondary education: Reflections on principles and their applications. Journal of Postsecondary Educa-tionand Disability, v. 19, n. 2, p. 135 151, 2006. Disponível em: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ844630.pdf
RUSCONI, Laura; SQUILLACI, Myriam. Effects of a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Training Course onthe Development Teachers’Competences: A Systematic Review. Educ. Sci. 13, 466, 2023,. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050466
SABORÍO-TAYLOR, Silva, & ROJAS-RAMÍREZ, Fabián. (2024). Universal design for learning and artificial intelligence in the digital era: Fostering inclusion and autonomous learning. International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 62, ep2408. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/14694
SANZ, Noemy Martín; URÍAS, María Dolores Vivas; SALGADO, Leire Nuere; BENITEZ, Noelia Valle, & MARTINEZ, María Consuelo Valbuena. Educate to transform: An innovative experience for faculty training. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 1613–1635, 2023. DOI: 10.1007/s10639-022-11160-y
TOBIN, Thomas; BEHLING, Kirsten. Reach Everyone, Teach Everyone: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Press, 2018.
WONG, Zi Yang, LIEM, Gregory Arief, CHAN, Melvin, & DATU, Jesus Alfonso. Student engagement and its association with academic achievement and subjective well‑being: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(1), 48–75, 2024.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Special Education Magazine

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Declaration of originality
We declare that all articles present in the journal Revista Educação Especial (UFSM) are originals and were not submitted for publishing on any other publication, as a whole or a fraction. We also declare that, after being published by Revista Educação Especial (UFSM), a paper will not be submitted to another journal within two years. After this time, our journal transfers the publishing rights to the authors, with a permit granted by the Editorial Council.
We also acknowledge that the originals’ submission to Revista Educação Especial (UFSM) implies on a transference of copyright for physical and digital publishing to the journal. In case of noncompliance, the violator will receive sanctions and penalties predicted by the Brazilian Copyright Protection Law (n. 9610, dated 19/02/98).


