CAST: Universal Design for Learning

CAST to Lead Day of Sessions on Universal Design for Learning at CEC Convention
Leading education scholars and practitioners to discuss UDL's implications for education in 2008 and beyond

Wakefield, Mass. , March 1, 2008–CAST has been selected to lead a full day of presentations on universal design for learning (UDL) on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at the annual Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention in Boston, MA. Titled “Universal Design for Learning: Tipping Points from Research to Practice,” the day-long "strand" of sessions will bring together leading scholars and practitioners from special and general education to explore advances in the field of UDL in research, policy, teacher preparation and professional development, and classroom practice across K-12 and postsecondary grades, content areas, and states.

Leading the strand are David Rose, CAST’s Co-Founder and Chief Education Officer, and Tracey Hall, Senior Research Scientist and Instructional Designer at CAST. “We are honored to have this great group of leading researchers, educators, and advocates join us at CEC to explore what UDL means for education in 2008 and beyond.”

Topics to be discussed include:

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines for Practice and Research
Session Leaders: David Rose and Anne Meyer, CAST
Discussant: Dave Edyburn, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Time: 8:30am– 9:30am

From Margins to the Mainstream: UDL and its Implications for Education Policy
Session Leaders: Tom Hehir, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Presenters: Nancy Reder, National Association of State Directors of Special Education; Ricki Sabia, National Down Syndrome Society
Discussant: Laura Kaloi, National Council for Learning Disabilities
Time: 9:45am–10:45am

Just in Time: The Intersection of UDL, RTI, and Progress Monitoring
Session Leader: Gerald Tindal, University of Oregon
Presenters: Doug Fuchs, Vanderbilt University; Lynn Fuchs, Vanderbilt University; Tracey Hall, CAST; Markay Winston, Cincinnati Public Schools
Time: 11:00am–12:00pm

UDL Instruction and Tools: A Survey 
Session Leader: Michael Wehmeyer, University of Kansas
Presenters: Tracey Hall, CAST; Leanne Ketterlin-Geller, University of Oregon
Discussant: Steve Graham, Vanderbilt University
Time: 1:15pm–2:15pm

Digital Media and the Changing Marketplace
Session Leader: Skip Stahl, CAST
Presenters: Vicki Hershman, PATINS Project at Indiana Department of Education; Tracy Gray, American Institutes of Research; Joy Zabala, CAST
Discussant: Bonnie Jones, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm

Preparing Teachers for UDL Implementation: Lessons from Research to Practice
Session Leader: Diane Browder, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Presenters: Margo Izzo, Ohio State University; Grace Meo, CAST; Pat Previte, Ipswich, MA Middle School; Patti Ralabate, National Education Association
Discussant: Richard Jackson, Boston College
Time: 3:45pm–4:45pm

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CAST staff will also present at other sessions throughout the CEC conference, which runs from April 2-5, 2008. These include:

Differentiating Instruction through Technology: Make it Work!
Presenters: David Rose, CAST; Tracy Gray, American Institutes for Research (AIR); Alise Brann, AIR; Boo Murray, CAST; Heidi Silver-Pacuilla; AIR; Susan Skipper, AIR
Date and Time: Pre-conference workshop-April 2, 9:00am-12:00pm

Supporting the Scientific Inquiry Process with UDL :
Presenters: Tracey Hall, CAST; Boo Murray, CAST; Mindy Johnson, CAST; Peggy Coyne, CAST; Jeremy Price, Boston College; Bob Dolan, Pearson
Date and Time: Thursday, April 3 8:30am-9:30am

UDL Tools for Teachers: BookBuilder, Lesson Builder
Presenters: Grace Meo, CAST; Peggy Coyne, CAST
Date and Time: Thursday, April 3 9:45am-10:45am

AIM High for Student Achievement: Making Instructional Materials Accessible with NIMAS and Beyond
Presenters: Skip Stahl, CAST; Joy Zabala, CAST
Date and Time: Thursday, April 3 11:00am-12:00pm

Differentiating Instruction with Technology: Examples and Strategies to Scale-Up Technology Innovation
Leaders and Presenters: Tracy Gray, American Institutes for Research; Heidi Silver-Pacuilla, American Institutes for Research; Boo Murray, CAST
Date and Time: Friday, April 4 8:30am-10:00am 

Applying UDL to Literature: Comprehension Strategies, Monitoring Progress, and Discussion Forums
Presenters: Patti Ganley, CAST
Date and Time: Friday, April 4 10:30am-12:00pm

Diverse Learners Do History with UDL
Presenters: Anne Meyer, CAST; Grant Miller, Southern Illinois University
Date and Time: Saturday, April 5 1:15pm-2:15pm

Universal Design for Learning and Alternate Assessment: Optimizing Students' Demonstration of Learning
Leader/Presenters: Anne Denham, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Tracey Hall,  CAST; Jenna Wasson, CAST
Date and Time: Saturday, April 5 11:00am-12:00pm

TAT Social Validity: A General Educator’s Perspective
Presenters: Tracey Hall, CAST; Anne Papalia-Berardi, Millersville University
Date and Time: Saturday, April 5 1:30pm-3:00pm

The CEC Convention and Expo runs April 2-5, 2008, at Boston's Hynes Convention Center. To register, go to http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ProfessionalDevelopment/ConventionExpo/

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. Its annual convention draws thousands of educators spanning all grade levels and content areas.

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CAST is a nonprofit education R&D organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through the development of innovative, technology-based educational resources and strategies. CAST is host of the NIMAS Development and Technical Assistance Centers, and the AIM Consortium--federally funded iniatiatives to expedite the development and delivery of accessible instructional materials. To learn more, go to www.cast.org.