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Literacy instruction for students with significant intellectual disabilities traditionally emphasizes isolated skills instruction focusing on sight words and basic vocabulary. Recent research suggests these students benefit from high-quality instruction that includes comprehension and storybook reading. This study examined the effect of a technology-based universal design for learning (UDL) approach to literacy instruction, Literacy by Design (LBD), on the reading achievement of 16 students with significant intellectual disabilities in Grades K-2. The LBD approach emphasizes reading for meaning, combining UDL-scaffolded e-books and letter and word recognition software. Nine teachers received training in research-based literacy practices. Of these, five received LBD training and implemented it four to five times weekly. Controlling for initial reading achievement, the LBD group made significantly greater gains on the "Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement III" Passage Comprehension subtest. Implications for research and practice in beginning reading instruction for children with significant intellectual disabilities are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

With fixed, uniform learning materials, teachers are left with the burden of individualizing instruction by providing supplementary adaptations or accommodations for students with special learning needs. Unfortunately, few teachers have either the time or expertise to adequately adapt the curriculum materials to meet the diverse needs of their students. The new view of curriculum and instruction that is a key feature of Universal Design has the potential to improve outcomes for all learners. For the first time in the history of federal special education legislation, the appropriateness of core instructional textbooks to meet the needs of students with disabilities is being addressed. This initiative creates the foundation for expanding learning alternatives to every student with a disability, and even to those students who might simply prefer to work with more flexible and supportive materials.

Concepts from universal design in architecture are applied to development of educational curricula and materials that include supports for access for a range of students including those with disabilities. This article traces the development of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and describes a project that developed both a model digital U.S. history textbook incorporating UDL features and publisher guidelines. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

Notes that students with identified learning disabilities fare especially poorly at such tests that include analysis, prediction, comparison, and interpretation. Develops an exemplar of an online content area textbook that uses contemporary multimedia technology to meet the needs of diverse learners. Describes a study focused on the potential of multimedia, technology-based teaching materials, and instructional approaches to improve learning for all students, including those with learning disabilities. (PM)