Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Strategies that Reach Every Learner

If you’ve ever planned a lesson and thought, “How do I make this work for every student in this room?,” you’re already thinking through the lens of universal design for learning (UDL). UDL helps students enter learning with confidence, especially multilingual learners and students receiving Special Education services. At its core, universal design for learning is about creating flexible pathways so every student has space to grow, contribute, and show what they know.

UDL is not extra work. It’s a mindset that simplifies planning, removes barriers, and supports stronger classroom communities. Below are practical strategies you can try right away, grounded in what helps students feel seen and capable.

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What Is Universal Design for Learning?

Universal design for learning is a research-based framework that helps teachers design lessons that are accessible from the start. It rests on three pillars:

• engaging students in different ways
• representing information through multiple formats
• offering varied options for demonstrating understanding
  
  

When these pillars show up in your classroom, multilingual learners and students receiving Special Education services gain more clarity, more support, and more independence — and the whole class benefits. It’s essentially the teaching version of opening more doors instead of asking students to fit through just one.

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Strategy 1: Offer Multiple Ways to Engage

UDL begins with engagement because students learn more deeply when they feel genuinely invited into the experience.

Try:

• Choice boards that include quiet options, movement-friendly tasks, collaborative choices, and visual activities.
• Warm-up routines that let students choose between writing, drawing, or discussing.
• Visual cues for routines, which help multilingual learners and neurodiverse students anticipate what’s coming next.
  
  

Why this matters: Different entry points reduce stress and help students feel ready to learn. When students choose how they participate, they invest more fully.

Brisk tip: Use Brisk to create student-friendly directions at different reading levels so every student can begin the task with clarity.

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Strategy 2: Represent Information in More Than One Format

Universal design for learning encourages teachers to share information in ways that support different processing styles.

Ideas to try:

• Pair written instructions with visuals or icons.
• Record a 30-second audio explanation for students who benefit from hearing the task.
• Build graphic organizers that preview key concepts.
• Provide vocabulary lists and sentence frames so language is not a barrier for multilingual learners.
  
  

Why this matters: When students both see and hear information, they make connections more quickly and feel comfortable moving into the work. This is like giving students a map instead of asking them to wander until they find the right trail.

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Strategy 3: Give Students Multiple Ways to Show What They Know

Assessment is not one-size-fits-all. Universal design for learning encourages students to choose formats that match their strengths.

Options might include:

• A short audio reflection instead of a paragraph
• A labeled diagram or model
• Digital tools that support recording, building, or visual demonstrations
  
  

Why this matters: Students show deeper thinking when the format doesn’t hold them back. These choices especially support learners who understand the content but struggle with traditional written tasks.

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Strategy 4: Build Routines That Support Independence

Routines make UDL sustainable. They reduce cognitive load, help students transition with confidence, and build a community where everyone knows what to expect.

Helpful routines:

• Anchor charts and reference checklists students can access anytime.
• Color-coded materials so students can locate what they need without prompting.
• Peer-support structures that help students practice language, teamwork, and problem solving.
  
  

Why this matters: Predictability helps multilingual learners and students receiving Special Education services move through the day with less anxiety. Clear routines also free you to focus on small groups and individual learners.

Brisk tip: Brisk can generate personalized checklists or scaffolded directions for students who need lighter, clearer steps.

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Strategy 5: Strengthen Language Supports for ELLs and Diverse Learners

Language access is a core part of universal design for learning, especially when academic tasks feel demanding.

Try:

• Vocabulary boards with visuals.
• Sentence starters that help students participate in academic talk.
• Collaborative structures that let students rehearse language before sharing publicly.
  
  

Why this matters: Strong language support leads to increased participation, more confidence, and better comprehension of academic content.

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Strategy 6: Design a Classroom Space That Works for All Learners

A supportive environment is part of universal design for learning. Small changes can significantly increase student confidence.

Ideas:

• Offer flexible seating so students can find a comfortable working posture.
• Label materials in multiple languages to support independence.
• Keep visual schedules posted in predictable places so students know what’s coming.
  
  

Why this matters: A thoughtfully designed space signals belonging. Students settle in more quickly and stay more engaged because they know how to navigate the room.

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How Brisk Helps Bring Universal Design for Learning to Life

Brisk fits naturally into UDL because it saves time on tasks that used to take the longest.

Teachers often use Brisk to:

• Create leveled versions of the same reading passage so every student can access the same concept.
• Build visual directions or scaffolded checklists in seconds.
• Draft multilingual communication for families, including welcome messages and assignment explanations.

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When teachers spend less time reformatting materials, they gain more time to spend with students. Start using Brisk today to save time on differentiating materials and easily support every learner.

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Start Small and Watch the Impact Grow

Universal design for learning isn’t about changing everything at once — it’s about widening access one small decision at a time. A single added visual, a clarified routine, or one more option for showing understanding can change how students experience learning in your room.

You’re already using pieces of UDL every time you adjust a task, offer a choice, or reframe directions so students feel more supported. When you build on those habits with intention, you create a classroom where every learner can thrive.

If you want support creating differentiated materials, scaffolds, visual directions, or multilingual communication, Brisk can help you do it in minutes. Create a free Brisk account today and make UDL easier, faster, and more sustainable for your classroom.