AHEAD
Creating inclusive environments in education & employment for people with disabilities.

Universal Design in Teaching & Learning

Looking to increase your understanding and upskill in Universal Design? The Digital Badge in Universal Design provides colleagues with a framework to embed inclusion into their work, to learn from their peers and to redesign their practice. The Badge is a free introductory course on Universal Design for Learning for all those working in Higher and Further Education in the Republic of Ireland and a nationally recognised micro-credential. Over 4,500 individuals have completed this Badge nationally.

Register for the national rollout starting 6 October 2025

The Digital Badge consists of:

  • a 10-week programme; roughly 2.5 hrs of work per week
  • 5 self-directed online modules and 3 recorded webinars
  • 4 peer group meetings online
  • A Redesign Activity which is submitted and reviewed before the Digital Badge is awarded
  • An optional 5 hour additional Facilitator activity for those who wish to support future rollouts of the Badge.

The programme and content is work based, very practical and flexible.

Participants will meet other colleagues from across the sector, learn about different contexts and disciplines, and share ideas and resources. Case studies from around the country provide innovative and creative ways to implement Universal Design in teaching activities.

This Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching & Learning:

  • Is for those who are primarily involved in teaching learners in a classroom setting.
  • Focuses on teaching, learning and assessment.
  • Provides faculty and teaching staff with a sustained opportunity to critically reflect on their teaching methods and make changes to the practice by embedding UDL.
  • Will enhance your teaching, improve your students' learning experience and help you improve student engagement.

NB: Participants should have some teaching activity during the course rollout in order to redesign an element of their practice.
 

How is the course structured?

For the digital badge for Universal Design in Teaching & Learning course, there are three key elements you'll have to undertake to achieve the badge. Depending on the mode of delivery and the preference of your facilitator, you may undertake these elements concurrently or consecutively.

1. 5 short online modules building UDL knowledge and encouraging self reflection

  • Introducing Universal Design for Learning

  • Examining Multiple Means of Engagement - the 'why' of learning
  • Examining Multiple Means of Representation - the 'what' of learning
  • Examining Multiple Means of Action and Expression - the 'how' of learning
  • Reflecting On Your Practice

2. Group interactions with your peers (either through a workshop format or via ongoing groups of 5-6 - Depends on mode of delivery)

  • Exploring the diversity on your campus

  • Looking at how UDL can help to reduce barriers to learning

  • Discussion and brainstorming on how you can change your practice with UDL

3. UDL Redesign Activity

  • Select a teaching activity you will deliver during the course (module/lecture/workshop/training event/assignment)

  • Redesign at least one aspect of the module using UDL principles (e.g. assessment, teaching materials, classroom resources, student activities etc.)

  • Implement and deliver the redesigned activity
  • Produce a short report (written or video) on the process on the redesign and implementation - both your experiences and your students

What is a digital badge?

Any organisation can issue digital badges as a recognition for work achieved or skills acquired – think of them as the certificate of the future. Unlike ordinary certificates however, digital badges come with a weight of other useful information such as a descriptor of the badge, a set of criteria met in order to receive the badge and in some cases, links to evidence of how the criteria has been met (e.g. an actual course assignment). Digital badges are collected by individuals in a personal digital backpack, which acts as a visual record of the person’s learning journey. Watch the video below for more detailed info on what a digital badge is!

 

Do I need to be a UDL expert to run this course in my institution?

No. But there are a few major criteria for new course facilitators:

  • That you have completed the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning yourself before facilitating
  • That you have been awarded a Facilitators Badge for this course through the HEA's National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning
  • That you are delivering the course to staff in further education and training and/or higher education staff in the Republic of Ireland

Read more and download facilitator pack on the National Forum's Open Course page here

Digital Badge Partners - AHEAD, UCD Access and Lifelong Learning and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.

 

IS THIS BADGE FOR ME?

Not sure which Universal Design related badge course suits you? Take this short quiz to find out:

Which Badge is for me?
 

Universal Design Beyond the Classroom

This course is for colleagues who interact either directly or indirectly with learners beyond the reaches of the classroom setting who wish to utilise the Universal Design for Learning framework to provide an inclusive educational experience. Successful participants will receive a Digital Badge for their efforts.

Explore more about the Universal Design Beyond the Classroom Course