CAST at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) 2026

8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Room W221 A&B, Pre-registration required

Designed for administrators and coaches committed to ensuring digital learning environments meet the needs of each learner, join CAST and district leaders for this hands-on summit focusing on the latest assistive technology, special education trends, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) impact. Dive into essential topics such as strategies to address busting silos to break the digital design divide and hear from practitioners on implementation successes. Work collaboratively with experts to develop a system-wide approach tailored to your organization based on resources from the Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems and other openly licensed resources. This summit is perfect for leaders passionate about leading the charge for inclusive learning—titles don’t define leaders, actions do! Bring your team together, let’s build a future Until Learning Has No Limits! Bring your team together, let’s build a future where no learner is excluded. BYOD.

Speakers
Dr. Luis Perez, Director of Disability and Accessibility, CAST
Mia Laudato, Co-project Director and Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST/CITES
Kelli Suding, Accessibility Specialist, CAST
Christine Fox, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Co-project Director CITES, CAST
Lindsay Jones, CEO, CAST

3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Room W315A

Learn how technology can support ALL students and enhance your inclusive practices at FETC! Join us for this kick-off led by special education and inclusive learning experts to help you navigate FETC’s 2026 program offerings and meet peers with similar interests. Hear what’s on the horizon for inclusive practices, assistive technologies and special education and gain strategies to make the most of your time at FETC. Gain information on “can’t miss” workshops and sessions on hot topics, including Universal Design for Learning, tools for differentiation, accessibility, inclusive STEM activities, and more!

Speakers
Lisa Berghoff, Director of Instructional Technology, Highland Park High School
Dr. Luis Perez, Director of Disability and Accessibility, CAST
Christine Fox, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Co-project Director CITES, CAST

11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Room W224B

Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve memory—benefits confirmed by emerging research in environmental neuroscience. Yet many students, particularly those in urban or inclusive settings, may have limited opportunities to experience the outdoors. In this session, Luis Pérez will share practical strategies for bringing the restorative power of nature into classrooms through technology, design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Participants will explore how virtual field trips, immersive media, natural soundscapes, and classroom design inspired by the outdoors can foster a sense of calm and curiosity for all learners. Examples will demonstrate how small adjustments—such as integrating nature-based imagery into lessons or encouraging students to connect their learning to natural environments—can improve attention, executive functioning, and emotional regulation. Attendees will leave with ready-to-implement ideas, tools, and resources that bridge environmental neuroscience and inclusive pedagogy, making the benefits of nature accessible to every learner.

Speaker
Dr. Luis Perez, Director of Disability and Accessibility, CAST

9:30 AM to 10:15 AM, Room W224B

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping education, offering both exciting opportunities and important challenges. When applied thoughtfully, AI tools can enhance accessibility and foster more inclusive learning environments. This session will explore how educators can leverage AI to reduce barriers, support learner variability, and create equitable opportunities for success. AI-powered tools—such as real-time captioning, text-to-speech, and multimodal content creation—can provide meaningful supports for students with disabilities and benefit all learners. Participants will examine how AI can extend the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by offering multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression. Beyond tools, the session will address critical considerations such as bias, transparency, and ethics to ensure that AI enhances inclusion rather than reinforcing inequities. Educators will leave with practical strategies, curated resources, and a framework for evaluating AI technologies through an accessibility and equity lens. Whether you are new to AI or already experimenting with its possibilities, this session will provide actionable insights to help you responsibly harness AI for more inclusive and human-centered teaching and learning.

Speaker
Dr. Luis Perez, Director of Disability and Accessibility, CAST

1:00 PM to 1:45 PM, Room W224B

Join us for a “CITES-seeing” adventure—where EdTech, UDL, and accessibility meet in a dynamic guided tour through 10 powerful tools that support all learners. Using part of the CITES Framework as our roadmap, we’ll explore how EdTech can be inclusive and create flexible, supportive and engaging learning experiences in reading, writing, math, executive functioning, and more. Each featured tool is a “stop” on our journey, demonstrating how to reduce barriers to learning by offering multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement—the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will discover built-in supports such as text-to-speech, predictive writing, visual scaffolds, language translation, and progress monitoring that can be used to support all students, especially those with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Aligned with CITES system-level evidence-based practices, this session also highlights resources on how to integrate these tools into strategic planning, PD, and IEP development—ensuring accessibility isn’t a detour but part of the main route. Whether you’re designing universally accessible lessons, supporting multilingual learners, or leading inclusive tech initiatives, you’ll leave with a toolkit of strategies to transform every classroom into an inclusive learning adventure.

Speakers
Mia Laudato, Co-project Director and Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST/CITES
Christine Fox, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Co-project Director CITES, CAST

8:00 AM to 8:45 AM, Room W224B

Educators are constantly asked to make digital learning materials accessible, yet many feel uncertain about where to start. The SLIDE mnemonic, developed by accessibility expert Luis Perez, provides a clear, memorable framework for designing with all learners in mind. In this interactive session, participants will learn how to apply SLIDE—Structure, Links, Images, Design, and Express—to everyday classroom and professional contexts. Through real-world examples and hands-on demonstrations, attendees will discover how simple adjustments—such as checking heading structure, writing meaningful link text, providing alternative text for images, and ensuring clear visual design—can dramatically improve the usability of digital content. The session will also highlight how empowering students to express their knowledge in multiple ways aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and fosters greater engagement and equity. By the end of the presentation, participants will walk away with practical strategies, free resources, and a repeatable process they can immediately apply to slide decks, handouts, learning management system content, and more. Whether you are new to accessibility or looking to strengthen existing practices, the SLIDE mnemonic offers a powerful entry point for building inclusive learning environments that benefit everyone.

Speaker
Dr. Luis Perez, Director of Disability and Accessibility, CAST

9:00 AM to 9:45 AM, Room 240A

Step into the spotlight with The Million Dollar Pyramid, an energetic, gamified session that brings strategy, collaboration, and innovation together in a race to support all learners. Inspired by the classic game show, this experience is designed for K–12 EdTech district leaders, administrators, and educators ready to explore the key intersection of MTSS and inclusive technology. Through fast-paced, team-based challenges, participants will explore the “million-dollar” questions: How do we design systems where every student belongs? How can inclusive technologies enhance data-driven MTSS practices? And what does effective collaboration look like across roles and tiers? Each round unlocks key concepts—tiered supports, equity-centered planning, and real-world examples of inclusive leadership—while highlighting how the right technology can extend and personalize support at every level. Walk away with more than just bragging rights: gain actionable strategies, fresh insights, and a renewed vision for creating inclusive, tech-integrated MTSS frameworks that deliver big results.

Speakers
Mia Laudato, Co-project Director and Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, CAST/CITES
Christine Fox, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Co-project Director CITES, CAST

10:00 AM to 10:45 AM EST, Room 240A

Join us for an interactive showcase where Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), assistive technology (AT), and accessible technology harmonize to support all students. Discover the unique characteristics and collaborative power of UDL,AEM, AT, and accessible technology, explore real-life examples, and gain tips and resources for implementation. Engage in lively discussions, reflect on your practices, and share experiences with peers. By the end of this session, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how these elements create inclusive learning environments, ensuring every student can participate in their own learning- particularly in support of literacy development!

Speakers
Kelli Suding, Accessibility Specialist, CAST
Christine Fox, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer and Co-project Director CITES, CAST