Maynooth University Centre for Teaching and Learning

MU - UDL & U.  Building a Culture of Inclusion in Maynooth University 
 
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles that supports a more inclusive learning environment for all students. Embedding UDL principles in teaching, learning and assessment practices is an important element of Maynooth University’s commitment to the provision of a more inclusive learning environment and experience for all our students.
 
To support this commitment, CTL in collaboration with the Access Office, has awarded four UDL focused T&L Fellowships to Maynooth University colleagues under the HEA PATH 4, Phase 1 - Universal Design for Education Fund. The UDL Faculty T&L Fellows will work together with CTL staff to co-design and implement this UDL initiative. The team will collaborate to: 
 

• collate and develop UDL educational resources and guidelines to assist staff in learning about and applying UDL principles in their practice
• design and implement a short UDL staff awareness campaign to prompt and support staff to make small incremental changes to increase the inclusiveness of their teaching, learning and assessment practices
• evaluate the effectiveness of the UDL campaign
• collate faculty specific exemplars of good UDL practice to inspire and share good practice across the University.

 The UDL Faculty T&L Fellows 2023-24 are:
 
Dr Marian Crowley-Henry, School of Business, and Dr Margaret Flood, Education Department, and Faculty of Social Sciences.
Professor Denise Rooney, Chemistry Department and Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Professor Moynagh Sullivan, English Department and Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Philosophy.
 
The Higher Education Authority Programme for Access To Higher Education (PATH)   CTL, in collaboration with the Access Office, has designed two projects under the heading of ‘Enhancing Staff Accessibility Awareness and Practice’, both of which are supported by Phase 1 of PATH Strand 4 ‘Universal Design Fund – Supporting inclusive universally designed higher education environments for all’, MU - UDL & U and Enhancing Moodle Accessibility.