ADCET UDL Symposium: UDL Driven Design for Remote Adult Learners in the VET Sector

In-person presentation

The SEE Distance Learning program at TAFE SA supports adult learners who face significant barriers to face to face study, with many relying on paper-based materials due to limited digital access. Most learners enter at ACSF Level 1, making text heavy resources and minimal educator contact (often brief weekly phone calls) difficult to navigate. To improve engagement, comprehension, and confidence, resource design must be reimagined through a UDL 3.0 lens to ensure materials are accessible, culturally responsive, and manageable for learners with low literacy and mobile only access.

This presentation outlined how TAFE SA applied UDL 3.0 principles – Provide Multiple Means of Representation, Enhance Comprehension, Support Executive Function, and Optimise Relevance, Value and Authenticity – to redesign paper-based materials using a UDL first methodology. Key strategies include simplified, contextualised language supported by explicit AI prompting, intentional white space, and dual coding through icons, emojis, images, and short animations. QR linked audio and video were incorporated because most learners have mobile phones with data, enabling accessible explanations of content, goals, and processes. These multimodal elements include playful educator voiced animations with lip synced characters, minimal text, captions, and audio support for EAL learners. The development approach drew on team teaching experience and professional learning, with post release learner feedback used to refine clarity and engagement.

Early feedback shows increased task clarity, reduced cognitive load, stronger learner content connection, and improved confidence in independent learning. One learner shared, “I love the emojis. I see them first, then reading is just easier.” Challenges included generating culturally appropriate, context specific AI images and balancing visual appeal with accessibility.

Aligned with the symposium theme “From ideas to impact,” this session shared practical UDL aligned strategies using print, video, audio, and AI assisted design to enhance accessibility for remote VET learners. Attendees interacted with both paper and digital samples, and the session demonstrated how explicit AI prompting was used to address common design barriers and avoid low quality outputs.

Presenters

Glenn Simpson is a Senior Lecturer in Foundation Skills with TAFE SA, specialising in distance and remote delivery in the SEE program. He applies UDL 3.0 to design accessible, low‑bandwidth learning for adults who have been sidelined by traditional education systems. A neurodiverse‑friendly educator, Glenn uses animated videos 🎬, emoji‑rich interactions 😊 and humour to help learners stay engaged and keep going when learning feels hard. He collaborates with teams to turn dense, text‑heavy materials into flexible, practical resources grounded in real lives, real workplaces and real learning goals 🔧.

(June 2026)