Universal Design

"All students have different abilities, types of knowledge, and literacies; all students can benefit from engaging with texts in different ways and in different contexts." Allison Hitt

When I think of Universal Design (UD) the rainbow comes to mind. To me, a rainbow symbolizes a group of individual colors bound together to make one overarching bridge. It is as simple as everyone identifying as one of the colors, connecting themselves to another person/color for a common interest. Resistance only makes things harder for of all us; working together welcomes harmony.

 

Allison Hitt, author of "Access for All: The Role of Dis/Ability in Multiliteracy Centers" believes writing pedagogy should support multiliteracies that are accessible to a diverse range of students. As a future educator, I am inclined to agree with her and apply this to all forms of pedagogy. If teachers spend more time thinking about all learning styles instead of student diagnoses then more can be achieved in individual and group activities. Although Hitt's article speaks directly about writing center expectations, methods, and outcomes the bigger picture is the focus of people not labels and disorders. Personally I think the word disorder is used too often and interchangeably with the term difference. Obviously everyone has their unique learning styles and some scientists believe the majority of people can adapt and adopt different or new learning styles through teaching and practice. Just because are person acquires a skill differently does not mean they should be labeled with a disorder.
Returning to the idea of collaboration, it leads to more informed individuals and communities. Bridging my learning style with another provides an opportunity for twice as much to be discovered or understood through the alternate perspectives. Hitt explains that writing centers encourage alternative modes of communication and composition. Flexibility is essential; whether one is visually, aurally, or kinesthetically apt the goal for any subject is the highest degree of comprehension and mastery.
Throughout the last few years I have witnessed laws, architecture, technology transform with the visually, hearing, and psychically impaired at the forefront evolution. Yet, we all benefit from the wider and automatic doors, text messaging, voice automated systems, and other smart devices. Again there is the notion of pulling together all differences and forming materials to be used by all to achieve our individual and common goals. The ultimate goal is to use UD as a guide for all fields so all of us have access to developing our skill levels for any and every area of learning.
Hitt reminds us to move away from the "either/or" and embrace the "both/and" approach to life. Rainbows are a global sign that span across one stretch of the earth to another; encompassing numerous people underneath a singular object. Nature recognizes its purpose and the need to contribute to another's well-being. As writing center tutors, educators, or whichever role we identify with it is necessary for people to examine nature's example and realize how our fates our bridged together.

Source: Hitt, A. (2012). Access for All: The Role of Dis/Ability in Multiliteracy Centers. PRAXIS: A Writing Center Journal. 9(2) 1-5.