Developing Accessible and Effective Learning Activities - A Guide for Settlement Workers

This self-guided learning workbook will provide an introduction to developing accessible and effective learning activities in a settlement setting using the Universal Design for Learning framework. The guide was developed for the Community Integration Network by Marisa Gelfusa, Facilitation and Design Specialist.

In the course of their work, settlement workers provide learning opportunities to individuals and communities. Whether it is within a training session or a one-on one meeting, learning is an important part of the exchange. In addition, they have interactions with people who have very different resources, experiences and needs when it comes to learning.

Learning Objectives:

After engaging with the text and completing the suggested activities, the learner will be able to:

• Describe the unique characteristics of learning activities in a settlement setting
• Define the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and its applications in a settlement setting
• Apply the Universal Design for Learning concepts to their own activities to increase their accessibility and effectiveness

This document is designed to engage the reader in a self-guided experience. The reader is provided with different options to acquire information, reflect, and check their understanding. The purpose is both to provide an engaging learning experience but also to provide examples of tools that settlement workers can apply within their own context.