There are a set of Universal instructional design (UID) principles that are appropriate for distance education. These principles were used to access the accessibility level of a sample online course in Moodle.  In looking at these accessibility levels, recommendations were made to "improve the accessibility of online DE to learners with diverse abilities, disabilities, and needs." 

Distance learning students may face various types of challenges such as physical, learning, psychological, visual, and hearing. "Universal instructional design (UID) principles have been developed in order to generate products and services appropriate to the widest range of diversity." The study identified eight UID principles tailored to distance education:

1. Equitable use
2. Flexible use
3. Simple and intuitive
4. Perceptible information
5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical and technical effort
7. Community of learners and support
8. Instructional climate