Definition of Universal Access
(noun) Equal access for all people to participate in educational systems such as the disabled, the economically disadvantaged, or minorities with a particular emphasis on early childhood education.
Universal Access Pronunciation
Syllabification: u·ni·ver·sal ac·cess
Audio Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
- American English – /yoo-nuh-vUHR-suhl Ak-ses/
- British English – /yoo-ni-vUHR-suhl Ak-ses/
International Phonetic Alphabet
- American English – /ˌjunəˈvɜrsəl ˈækˌsɛs/
- British English – /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl ˈæksɛs/
Usage Notes
- Plural: universal accesses
- Efforts to increase universal access are arising around the world, for example Australia has the National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, and the United States has the Head Start Program.
Additional Information
Related Terms
- anticipatory socialization
- credentialism
- education
- formal education
- hidden curriculum
- homework
- informal education
- No Child Left Behind Act
- youth culture
Cite the Definition of Universal Access
ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)
Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “universal access.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved June 5, 2023 (https://sociologydictionary.org/universal-access/).
APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)
universal access. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/universal-access/
Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)
Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “universal access.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed June 5, 2023. https://sociologydictionary.org/universal-access/.
MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)
“universal access.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 5 Jun. 2023. <https://sociologydictionary.org/universal-access/>.