Increase Access: Universal Design in Early Care & Education – Selected Resources

Increase Access: Universal Design in Early Care & Education Selected Resources.
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Please note: Some resources may require a subscription or have restricted access due to a publisher paywall.

Books:

  • Mason, C., Orkwis, R. & Scott, R. (2005). Instructional theories supporting universal design for learning – Teaching to individual learners. In Universal Design for Learning: A guide for teachers and education professionals. Eds. Council for Exceptional Children, Upper Saddle River, NH: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Articles/Tools:

Videos and Learning Modules:

  • The California Early Childhood Educator Competencies: Special needs and inclusion- 12 minute video. Published on May 1, 2014. This video addresses “Philosophy, Policies, and Practices,” “Developmentally and Individually Appropriate Practice,” “Collaboration with Families and Service Providers,” “Environmental Access, Universal Design and Adaptive Equipment.” Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lc9zJcfsnE
  • CAST, Inc. (2011). Universal design for learning at a glance. [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDvKnY0g6e4
  • Results Matter Project.(Authors). (2012). iPads in early education. [Video series]. Available from the Colorado Department of Education website at http://www.cde.state.co.us/resultsmatter/RMVideoSeries_iPadsInEarlyChildhood.htm#top
  • Center on Technology and Disability. (n.d.). Intro to assistive technology. [YouTube]. Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-1ZM4J2aSw
  • Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns – An estimated 1 in 6 children has some type of developmental disability. Most of these children are identified too late and miss the chance to benefit from early intervention services and supports. You can help change that. Visit Watch Me Training to access a FREE, 1-hour online continuing education course to better understand the role you can play in helping children with developmental delays get the early help they need to reach their full potential.

Websites:

  • Accessible Television Portal – Free television programs for children who are Blind, visually impaired, Deaf or Hard of Hearing from the U.S. Department of Education’s Accessible Television Portal project. Some of the featured and most popular shows include: “Ocean Mysteries,” “Magic School Bus,” and “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Source: U.S. Department of Education – March 16, 2015.
  • The Center for Universal Desig in Education – The Center for Universal Design in Education is part of DO-IT Programs and Resources from the University of Washington. The Center for Universal Design in Education (CUDE) develops and collects resources to help educators apply universal design (UD) in order to make all aspects of the educational experience welcoming to, usable by, and inclusive of everyone, including people with disabilities.
  • Colorado Department of Education. Results Matter Video Library—iPads in Early Childhood – This video series was produced to help providers better understand way iPad use in early childhood settings supports children to access and participate in everyday routines and activities. You can watch the clips online or download QuickTime versions of the videos for use in educational and professional development activities.
  • Core Concepts in Universal Design for Learning – A website on Universal Design from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST).
  • Early Childhood Guided Tour – National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education through Technology, Media, and Materials’ web site showing NCIP’s tour of two exemplary early childhood classrooms which honor every child’s need to communicate and make meaning in his or her life.
  • Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College – The Fred Rogers Center is continuously improving and making available free online resources that may help any organization grow their own learning communities based on the “simple interactions”.
  • Maine CITE – Maine CITE is a statewide project designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults who have disabilities.
  • The National Center on Universal Design for Learning – The National UDL Center supports the effective implementation of UDL by providing resources and information about UDL research, principles, and practices. The site connects others to places where UDL is being implemented.
  • Universal Design for Learning – From the Maryland State Depart of Education, Preschool through Kindergarten NE/LRE Team Decision Making Module.
  • Universal Design for Learning and Assistive Technology – A web site from the National Early Childhood TA Center listing a number of resources on Universal Design.

Updated: 07/10/2023

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Funding for the 2011 update of the Growing Ideas Resources for Guiding Early Childhood Practices has been provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child and Family Services, Early Childhood Division.