New Universal Design for Learning guidance published

Locals interested in the further education and training opportunities available to them to get in touch with their local ETB.

The Further Education and Training (FET) sector in Ireland should be aiming to reduce the barriers to learning for all learners in Cavan and across the entire further education and training sector, rather than mitigating against them.

That's according to SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, who this week launched new guidance for implementing Universal Design for Learning [UDL] in FET.

UDL is a set of principles and guidelines that aim to support all learners by using a variety of teaching methods to reduce barriers to learning.

This means that inclusive teaching and learning approaches are built-in at design stage so that all learners' needs are addressed where possible.

By applying the principles of UDL in FET programmes, accessibility, variability and the flexibility that addresses learners' strengths and needs are built-in, thereby accommodating most learners' preferences, differentiations, and variabilities.

SOLAS and Education Training Boards Ireland [ETBI] partnered with AHEAD, who work to create inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities, to develop this guidance. Today, the guidance was launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD.

Speaking today, Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, said: “FET is available in every community in Ireland. It offers every individual, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go.”

To enable this vision, 'Inclusion for all' must be at the heart of the Further Education and Training sector, says Mr Brownlee, who is encouraging anyone in Cavan interested in the further education and training opportunities available to them to get in touch with their local ETB.