You would have to have had your head in the sand for a long time not to at least be aware of Wikipedia, an amazing online reference resource that is used every day by countless learners and teachers around the world.  You may not be aware that there is an alternate version of Wikipedia that is more accessible in terms of language and grammar.

“Simple English Wikipedia is for everyone!”  This bold declaration is contained in the opening paragraph on the home page.  In other words, the Simple English Wikipedia is by design a resource that  facilitates universal access and supports a UDL (Universal Design for Learning) approach in the classroom.  Writers have been encouraged to “use easy words and shorter sentences”.  In my experience, there are learners in classrooms at all levels who benefit from this approach.

Simple English Wikipedia is part of the Wikimedia Foundation.  In appearance and layout, Simple English Wikipedia is exactly the same as Wikipedia.  Simple English Wikipedia currently contains 36,599 articles.  We are all invited, of course, to contribute new articles or to edit existing ones.  I see great potential here for teachers who are looking for meaningful and motivating projects.