ADCET UDL Symposium: Experiencing Universal Design for Learning - An Immersive Approach to Inclusive Teaching
In-person workshop
The presenters, Raymond Rutgers and Bec Inwood, have developed an immersive UDL workshop where academics step into the role of students to experience UDL firsthand.
Rather than just discussing the framework, participants engage in an immersive learning activity designed using UDL 3.0 guidelines, directly linking to Multiple Means of Representation, Engagement, and Action and Expression. They experience the impact of choice, authenticity, flexibility, and accessibility on learning. Following this, participants reflect on their learning process and translate insights into their own teaching practice or unit design.
This approach has created rich pedagogical discussions, increased awareness of learner variability, and changes in teaching strategies, with academics reporting greater confidence in applying UDL. As a result, innovative unit design examples have emerged across the university.
This workshop has been a key part of their strategy for creating the foundation of UDL knowledge and practical application at Murdoch. It has won staff over and fostered strong relationships between the Access & Inclusion team and academics. These relationships are now helping them scale up UDL training at Murdoch (including a school-based mentoring pilot expected to commence in March/April 2025, a general mentoring program for specific academics targeting specific units, and a new workshop focusing on UDL in assessments). Their ultimate goal is institution-wide adoption.
This session offered a hands-on sample of the above workshop, providing participants with practical strategies and insights to implement similar professional development strategies at their VET or HE institutions.This was followed by insights from the approach, post-workshop survey results, and practical strategies for implementing and scaling UDL training.
The workshop included a hands-on activity (15 minutes) with A4 paper requiring moderate hand dexterity. Three difficulty levels provided entry options.
Presenters
Raymond Rutgers is a Learning Accessibility Consultant at Murdoch University, driven by a bold vision: education that works for everyone. With a background in teaching and a Master’s in Learning Sciences, Raymond has built a career at the intersection of inclusive education and professional development. From classrooms to leadership roles, Raymond has led change through teaching, coaching, research, and strategic projects. Today, Raymond co-facilitates the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) at Murdoch, supporting staff to develop engaging and accessible learning environments where all students can thrive.
Bec Inwood is currently the Manager of Access & Inclusion at Murdoch University in Western Australia and has been working in this team since 2022. She holds a Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education (Arts & Inclusive Education) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts & Visual Culture (double major) and is a trained classical instrumentalist. With over 25 years of experience in education settings, Bec has worked with learners of all ages—from early childhood to mature adults. Her teaching experience spans diverse settings, including large classrooms, small groups, and one-on-one instruction." She has a profound interest in inclusive educational strategies, and has spent much of her career developing her understanding of learner diversity and the impacts of disability and socioeconomic status on learning. Through this breadth of experience Bec has developed a deep understanding of how people learn and is a strong advocate for Universal Design for Learning as a practical system to remove the traditional barriers in education that continue to exist. Combining her specialist knowledge of teaching and disability with her Arts training she takes a creative approach to supporting the implementation of UDL at Murdoch. She is currently working to expand UDL training and mentoring programs and is leading a school targeted UDL Mentoring Pilot for the School of Nursing, with plans for expansion of this program in 2026.
(June 2025)