Setting Up Your Classroom with UDL In Mind

Posted by: Emily DesJardins, M.A, SpED, UDL Content Lead, Open Access

Photo by Wix

One of the most important aspects of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is designing with intentionality, considering learner variability from the very beginning. As summer winds down and classrooms start to reopen, our team decided to focus our July blog post on how to kick off the school year with UDL in mind.

Just as we proactively design lessons with clear goals and flexible pathways, we can also proactively design the physical and emotional learning environment to meet our students’ needs. What will they hear, see, feel, and experience as they move through your space? How will your classroom design foster learner agency, reduce barriers, and create a sense of belonging?

Here are 10 Proactive Ways to Integrate UDL into Your Classroom Design to support all learners from the start:

1. Consider the Physical Barriers

It’s important that classrooms are designed to allow for ease of movement, taking into account the diverse ways students may navigate the space. Some students may walk, others might use crutches, and some may use wheelchairs.

Photo by Wix

As you arrange the physical layout of your classroom, also consider how students will access and engage with learning. Flexible seating can be a powerful way to offer both choice and comfort. It not only supports different learning preferences but also accommodates a wide range of physical needs—some visible, and others not immediately apparent.

• Suggestions:

  • Ensure clear pathways that accommodate all modes of movement and provide easy access to materials.

  • Use flexible seating arrangements that support various physical needs and empower student choice.

    
    

2. Consider the Visual Barriers

One of the biggest challenges in decorating a classroom is finding the right balance between creating a cheerful, welcoming space and maintaining an environment that supports focus, calm, and learning. Bright, bold colors can feel fun and engaging, but they can also be visually overwhelming and distracting. Consider using softer tones that still feel inviting without causing overstimulation. Similarly, too much visual clutter on the walls can be especially challenging for students with attention difficulties, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities.

• Suggestions:

  • Choose soft, calming colors and minimize wall clutter to reduce visual overstimulation.

  • Organize materials so they are visually clear and easy to find.

3. Sensory Considerations in the Classroom

Photo by Wix

Take a moment to sit in each area of your classroom and notice what you hear, see, and feel. Now imagine experiencing that space from your students’ perspectives—what sensory input might they be taking in? For students who become overwhelmed, it’s helpful to have options that support self-regulation. A designated calming area stocked with tools like noise-reducing headphones, mindfulness cards, and fidgets can empower students to recognize when they need a break and engage in independent strategies to manage their emotions.

• Suggestions:

  • Create quiet, calming areas stocked with tools like noise-cancelling headphones, mindfulness cards, and fidgets.

  • Use sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise distractions.

    
    

4. Eliminate Distractions

One of the most challenging balances to strike in a UDL classroom is creating space for student agency and project-based learning while also maintaining structure, organization, and routine. To support this balance, consider the systems you'll use for getting students' attention, making announcements, starting and ending class, and reinforcing positive behavior. These consistent routines and rhythms help reduce distractions, minimize confusion, and create a stable environment for learning. Visual supports, like posted agendas, calendars, material checklists, and classroom expectations, can further help students stay organized, focused, and ready to learn.

• Suggestions:

  • Implement clear routines to signal transitions and maintain student engagement.

  • Use visual schedules, calendars, and posted expectations to help students anticipate changes and stay organized.

5. Encourage Collaboration

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Within the UDL framework, student collaboration plays a vital role in building learner agency, encouraging exploration, and bringing joy to the learning process. As you set up your classroom, think about how the environment will support collaboration. Where will students work together? Where will group materials be stored? What roles or responsibilities might exist within each group? Assigning a variety of group roles allows students to experience different perspectives, appreciate the strengths of their peers, and find ways to contribute meaningfully, helping every student shine.

• Suggestions:

  • Design collaborative workspaces with easy access to shared materials.

  • Set clear expectations for group work areas and roles.

  • Incorporate technology tools that support communication and collaboration.

    
    

6. Increase Learner Agency

Another essential element of a UDL environment is fostering learner agency. One powerful way to promote this is by assigning classroom jobs to every student and organizing materials in accessible locations that require student responsibility and decision-making. When every student has a job, they experience a sense of daily purpose and validation. The message is clear: “You are part of this community, and you have something valuable to contribute.” Trusting students to manage tasks and make choices helps build ownership, confidence, and deeper engagement in their learning.

• Suggestions:

  • Arrange materials so students can independently select resources aligned with their learning goals.

  • Create daily rotating classroom jobs so every student has a meaningful role and sense of belonging.

7. Flexible Seating Options

I often hear mixed opinions about flexible seating, but I can confidently say the benefits are significant. Giving students the option to choose where they work fosters a sense of autonomy, allows them to select the environment where they can be most productive, and sends a clear message: “Your comfort matters to me.”

Photo by Wix

Some concerns often center around students wanting to sit next to their friends—and to that, I say, of course they do. Don’t we do the same during professional learning? Choosing to sit near people we’re comfortable with isn’t inherently a problem, as long as there are clear expectations and consistent structures in place to keep students engaged, focused, and on task. Establishing and teaching those expectations, along with logical consequences, helps ensure that flexible seating works well for everyone. 

• Suggestions:

  • Provide a variety of seating choices such as bean bags, couches,  standing desks, and floor cushions. These options do not need to be expensive - get creative! Some school-provided tables can be lowered, so students can sit on the floor or pillows while utilizing the table. 

  • Allow students to choose where they sit based on their needs and preferences.

  • Establish and teach clear expectations for seating behavior, including fair consequences with opportunities for re-engagement.

8. Clear Expectations of Areas

Providing clear expectations for supplies helps students stay organized, supports smooth transitions, and ensures everyone understands their roles and responsibilities within the classroom. Think about when students will need to access these materials and what information they need to use them properly. Be sure to post clear guidelines about how and when to use materials to promote independence and respect.

• Suggestions:

  • Use labels and visual cues to clearly define different classroom zones (e.g., reading nook, supply station).

  • Post simple guidelines outlining behavior and material use for each area.

9. Logistical Areas

Similar to setting clear expectations for supplies, organizing designated areas for student materials is essential for maintaining an orderly classroom, ensuring student safety, and making transitions smoother. For example, one of our Open Access Showcase Sites, Natomas Star Academy, uses a simple yet effective system: each classroom has a table marked with a grid made from blue tape, with each student’s name assigned to a square. Students keep their water bottles there and can easily grab them whenever they need a drink. This straightforward system helps students manage their belongings and clearly understand where their materials belong.

• Suggestions:

  • Designate specific spots for personal items like water bottles, backpacks, and lunch boxes to keep the classroom tidy.

  • Use simple, effective systems (like labeled grids or cubbies) to help students manage their belongings independently.

10. Representation and Messages in the Classroom

As you set up your classroom, think about what your walls are communicating to your students. If you were a student in the room, would you feel seen, represented, and included? Consider displaying student work, family photos, and important community information to celebrate the diverse identities in your classroom. While inspirational quotes can be uplifting, reflect on their purpose and balance them with meaningful artifacts and messages that truly reflect your students and community.

• Suggestions:

  • Display student work, family photos, and community information to celebrate diversity and foster belonging.

  • Balance inspirational quotes with cultural artifacts and tangible examples of student achievement.

    
    

When we organize our classrooms to show students that they have a voice in their learning—that they belong, have choices, and truly matter—we are embodying the principles of UDL. Wishing you all a wonderful and successful start to your school year!

For more ideas on creating an inclusive and engaging classroom environment, check out our new podcast, UDL Unlocked! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of every month. Our August episode will focus on Fostering Belonging and Community during the first weeks of school and beyond.

For a planning document to assist with organizing your classroom to support student ownership and agency, check out our free resource here!