Universal design for learning policy in tertiary education in Ireland: are we ready to commit?

The demographics of Irish tertiary education are changing rapidly, with a growing diversity in the learner population bringing many opportunities and challenges for the sector to consider. Traditionally in Ireland, approaches to supporting diverse learners, such as those with disabilities, were predominantly through methods of differentiation and reasonable accommodation, arguably associated with the medical model of disability. Increased diversity, however, makes this approach alone unsustainable. The numbers of learners registered with support services, for example, has increased dramatically, with services now overstretched. In Ireland, focus is shifting to a greater emphasis on universal supports, synonymous with the social model of disability. There is growing interest in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a way in which to reduce barriers and give all learners equal opportunities. Despite this, little is known about the extent to which UDL is embedded in tertiary education policy and practice. The aim of this chapter is to examine the role of UDL in tertiary education in Ireland, focussing on three main areas: UDL within national tertiary education policy; institutional responses to UDL policy; and interest in UDL by educators.