Looking to increase your understanding of and upskill in Universal Design? The Digital Badges in Universal Design provide colleagues with a framework to embed inclusion into their work, to learn from their peers and to redesign their practice.
The Digital Badges in Universal Design have been developed by UCD Access & Lifelong Learning and (opens in a new window)AHEAD. They are supported by the Higher Education Authority's (opens in a new window)National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning as part of their nationally recognised framework of professional development microcredentials.
The Badges are free introductory courses on Universal Design for Learning for all those working in Higher and Further Education in Ireland and are a nationally recognised micro-credential. Over 5,000 individuals have completed a Universal Design Digital Badge nationally with over 650 of those being UCD colleagues.
The next rollout of the Digital Badges for UCD colleagues is running 9 February to 17 April. (opens in a new window)Register using this form.
There are two badges to choose from: Universal Design in Teaching & Learning and Universal Design Beyond the Classroom. Both consist of the same core elements:
- 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 and very practical. Participants will meet other colleagues from across the campus, learn about different contexts and disciplines, and share ideas and resources.
Please contact (opens in a new window)universityforall@ucd.ie if you have any questions.
We know that most people's roles don't fit neatly into one category or another; teaching colleagues are often involved in supporting students and professional staff often teach students, so we don't think of the two badges as being exclusive. We encourage you to start with one - we've explained the differences in the badges below.