When Innovation Meets Impact: CAST to Host UDL-Con at Spring CUE

UDL-Con at Spring CUE 2026 will strive to support education leaders working to align vision, instruction, and outcomes across universally designed, learner-centered systems.

Why an Edtech Event for CAST?

The intersection of accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and educational technology represents a powerful space where innovation and learner agency grows. Digital accessibility ensures that all learners, including those with disabilities, can engage with digital content and tools. When leaders collaborate and understand the power of UDL and how accessibility drives opportunities for each learner, systems change and students succeed.

The Power of the Edtech and UDL Communities

“The passion shared by EdTech and UDL leaders is not only powerful, but it’s also contagious.”

As a former classroom teacher, inclusion leader, reading coach, and ESL coordinator, I’ve spent my career championing seamless access to meaningful learning opportunities. Nearly twenty years in the edtech space, leading professional learning communities, designing in-person and virtual events, and developing tools and white papers to strengthen high-quality digital learning, have shown me just how transformative thoughtful, accessible technology integration can be. My four years at CAST, working deeply in the inclusive technology space, have highlighted how that shared passion between edtech and UDL leaders is real and contagious.

That’s why I’m so excited that this event will showcase the true impact of Universal Design for Learning and how accessible technologies can streamline and personalize learning for every student. As the Co-Project Director of the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), a federal center dedicated to helping school district leaders develop and sustain technology systems that support all learners, including students with disabilities who rely on assistive technology and accessible materials, I find UDL-Con at Spring CUE inspiring. The concept embodies the spirit of inclusion, innovation, and possibilities we value as we work toward an accessible future for all learners.

Accessibility Is the Minimum. Inclusion Is the Goal.

Accessibility is the baseline of UDL. UDL opens opportunities and encourages instructional design that anticipates learner variability. A research-based framework, the CAST UDL guidelines provide educators and designers the ability to create instructional experiences that offer multiple means of engagement (the “why” of learning), multiple means of representation (the “what”), and multiple means of action and expression (the “how”).

UDL is based on scientific insights into how humans learn and is supported by evidence to benefit learners of all ages and across learning contexts. The goal of UDL is learner agency that is purposeful and reflective, resourceful and authentic, and strategic and action-oriented. Many edtech tools fundamentally support UDL implementation as they often provide options for educators and students.

UDL in Action at Spring CUE

All Spring CUE attendees have the option to join the powerful UDL-Con sessions to build their leadership and implementation of UDL. Over twenty accessible, universally designed sessions will explore a variety of topics, including accessible AI and assistive technologies, and UDL in action via drones, literacy, people-centered pedagogy, and schoolwide success.

Leaders can learn how drone-based STEM lessons use multiple modalities to support inquiry for students who learn in diverse ways. Literacy specialists will highlight how accessible materials and technologies can transform literacy instruction.

Don’t miss special sessions with free tools, including research-based online graphic organizers, Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) resources aligning to inclusive tech, a hands-on card game to educate leaders on the myths and facts of assistive technology implementation, and UDL-aligned coaching resources for science educators.

Across the conference, participants will see that UDL is not an add-on. It is a mindset that transforms every classroom, every learner, and every system.

Check out all of CAST’s sessions at Spring CUE, and register for UDL-Con today!

Christine Fox is Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at CAST, leading business development, sales, design, marketing and communications to support CAST’s mission.