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Inclusive Education

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Date
02 September 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/curriculum-accessibility/present-information-content-and-materials-in-different-ways-to-support-understanding

Present information, content, and materials in different ways to support understanding

Presenting information in different ways leads to understanding

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Support variability

Support variability

The presentation of information can impact access, participation, and engagement.

No single medium works for every learner, nor does it for every subject....To promote understanding of information, concepts, relationships, and ideas, it is critical to provide multiple ways for learners to approach them.

David Rose

Source: CAST. Inc. 2014 (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
CAST. Inc. 2014
http://udltheorypractice.cast.org

Increase accessibility of content

Increase accessibility of content

Discuss with the student what will support their access to information.

Build the suggestions into your teaching practice.

  • Provide enlarged photocopied versions of printed materials.
  • Create clear, uncluttered materials.
  • Use high-contrast colours for whiteboard pens, text and graphics on slides. Avoid pastel colours and grey tones on printed and online materials.
  • Set out board work in a clear, consistent format with good contrast, using columns, grouping information and clear, large writing.
  • Use visual tools to highlight information such as key words and new vocabulary.
  • Incorporate markers, such as fluorescent stickers, to help navigate to certain places or questions in workbooks.

Utilise digital materials

Utilise digital materials

Encourage students to adjust materials to suit their needs and preferences.

Introduce accessibility features, including how to change the contrast or font size or turn on text-to-speech.

11430 [Figure-1-Regan-using-technology.jpg]

Source: BLENNZ Learning Library (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
BLENNZ Learning Library
https://blennzonlinelearninglibrary.edublogs.org/

View full image (1.2 MB) (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Representation

This series of pages lists free tools, with details about each option. Use them for inspiration as you seek to increase the number of ways information is represented.

Publisher: British Columbia Ministry of Education

Visit website

Website

Multiple means of representation – Professional development resource

An online resource from CAST introducing the UDL principle of Representation.

Visit website

Website

UDL Guideline One: Options for perception

A video with supported activities to explore different ways to support understanding and access information.

Publisher: UDL for teachers

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Reduce barriers for year 1-8 students”:

Return to the guide “Curriculum accessibility”

11456 [Curriculum-accessibility.jpg]

Curriculum accessibility

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

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Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.