Ep 19: Universal Design for Classroom Spaces with Virginia Tech

You Don’t Want a Hug, Right? The Hilarity and the Hard of Raising Humans with Neurodiversity

The classroom is the essential component across every school from K-12 to higher education. So why is it that physical space is often overlooked as being a central player in the learning experience? If you’re a parent to a child with a disability, then you know that their environment can make all the difference!

In today’s episode, we’re interviewing Dr. Elif Tural and Dr. David Kniola, experts in the field of universal design and its various applications in educational settings and beyond. They share what universal design actually is, common barriers to learning in typical classrooms, and important aspects to consider when designing equitable spaces. Listen in to hear how universal design can benefit both neurodivergent populations and entire communities as a whole!

In this episode, you’ll learn…

[15:24] Defining universal design and purposeful learning spaces

[18:53] Common barriers to learning in typical educational settings

[22:13] Important aspects to consider in universal design and wayfinding

[26:47] The process of designing equitable spaces and why they benefit the whole

[33:42] Simple design solutions that can be implemented in classrooms right away

Get full show notes and the episode transcript:

https://www.youdontwantahug.com/post/ep-19-universal-design-for-classroom-spaces-with-virginia-tech

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