The Accessible Education Center is inviting nominations for the fourth annual University of Oregon Faculty Excellence in Universal Design Award.

Students, instructors, advisers and other professional staff can nominate both faculty members and graduate employees who exemplify accessibility in the design and implementation of their courses. The award honors faculty members who have excelled at meeting the challenge of accessible education in a remote environment over the course of the 2020-21 academic year.

A nomination form is available online and must be submitted by May 3. Last year’s winner was cinema studies professor Masami Kawai.

Universal design in learning means creating equitable access to education through curriculum that “reflects an awareness of the unique nature of each learner and the need to address differences,” according to the Center for Applied Special Technology. A universal design curriculum offers multiple means of representation, action and expression, and action and engagement.

Flexibility, ingenuity, and thoughtful and intentional design in curriculum has become even more important during the COVID-19 era, when remote learning has replaced in-person engagement and instructors have had to redesign their curriculum. The UO’s Accessible Education Center helps ensure students with disabilities receive equal access to their education while recognizing that such educational principles benefit all students.