UDL-Con at Spring CUE 2026, powered by CALIE
March 18, 2026 - March 21, 2026
CALIE and CAST are shaping a future where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.
In 2026, CAST UDL-Con appears in a brand new format at Spring CUE, the biggest EdTech conference in California. Spring CUE is hosted by the California Association for Leading Innovation in Education (CALIE), a nonprofit membership organization advancing bold, human-centered innovation in K–12 education.
We are excited to share the first look at UDL-Con 2026, a new series of opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate with CAST. UDL-Con at Spring CUE will feature inspiring sessions, hands-on learning, and opportunities to network with administrators and educators who are shaping the future of inclusive, accessible educational opportunities based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and practices.
Throughout the event you’ll find CAST’s preconference workshop, along with numerous dynamic sessions and interactive learning experiences. CAST and the community will bring UDL to life by sharing practical strategies and resources that make learning more inclusive, adaptable, and accessible to all.
Stay tuned for more details regarding UDL-Con sessions on inclusive leadership, accessible educational materials, AI, Accessibility and UDL implementation for math and literacy.
Register for UDL-Con at Spring CUE 2026
The UDL-Con sessions are included as part of Spring CUE 2026 registration. CALIE membership is not required to register or attend the conference. Non-members are able to purchase CALIE registration during checkout for $50.
Spring CUE 2026 Registration (Member): $460
Spring CUE 2026 Registration (Non-Member): $620
Design for All Preconference Workshop Registration: $250
Note: You must create a free account before you’re able to register. After creating the account you will be able to see registration options.
Design for All Preconference Workshop
When: March 18, 2026 · 10am-3pm
Price: $250 (stand-alone; full conference registration not-required)
The Design for All: Exploring Universal Design for Learning Preconference Workshop provides an overview of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a research-based framework that supports inclusive and flexible teaching practices. Participants will explore the foundational principles of UDL, examine the CAST UDL Guidelines, and apply them to real classroom examples by observing and analyzing teaching videos through a UDL lens. This interactive workshop provides a practical introduction to UDL and its impact on teaching and learning. Participants will:
- Deepen their understanding of learner variability and UDL research
- Analyze real classroom examples through a UDL lens
- Learn strategies to reduce barriers and increase engagement and access
- Design or redesign a lesson using CAST’s UDL Lesson Designer, ensuring that learning experiences are accessible and engaging for all students.
Ideal for educators, instructional designers, coaches, specialists, and administrators, this session supports anyone who is beginning UDL implementation or looking to strengthen their practice.
Day 1 - Thursday, March 19
Time: 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenters: Michelle Soriano
Artificial Intelligence is transforming education—but how do we ensure it works for everyone? In this interactive session, we’ll dive into the intersection of AI and accessibility, exploring practical ways these technologies can break down barriers and support learners with diverse needs.
Participants will examine real-world examples of AI applications that promote inclusive practices and discover how AI-powered tools can enhance accessibility in reading, writing, and communication.
They will also learn best practices for integrating AI responsibly and equitably in classrooms, and engage in hands-on activities and discussions to apply these ideas in their own contexts.
Time: 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenters: Niel Albero, Panel of Palm Springs Leaders
Discover how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) serves as a powerful framework for school-wide improvement. Join leaders and practitioners from Palm Springs as they showcase real-world strategies for embedding UDL across classrooms, teams, and systems. This session highlights the collaborative journey of implementing UDL school-wide, including lessons learned, success stories, and practical tools for scaling change. Participants will leave with actionable insights to foster inclusive learning environments, elevate student engagement, and strengthen school culture, demonstrating that UDL isn’t just a classroom tool—it’s a blueprint for transforming education at every level.
Participants will understand how UDL functions as a school-wide improvement framework, not just an instructional strategy, and how it aligns teams around a shared vision for inclusive practice.
Participants will explore leadership moves and structures that support sustained implementation of UDL across classrooms, departments, and initiatives.
Participants will analyze real examples from Palm Springs schools to identify replicable practices, lessons learned, and strategies for scaling UDL.
Participants will gain practical tools and protocols they can bring back to their own schools to build staff capacity and promote collaborative problem-solving.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenters: Katie Bevan, Jenna Gravel, & Anne-Marie Knokey
The Opening Access to Science Instruction and Support (OASIS) project utilizes a unique, scalable approach to supporting elementary teachers to design inquiry-based science instruction that embeds principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support every learner. OASIS focuses on working with instructional coaches to design professional learning experiences for elementary teachers that builds their competency and sense of self-efficacy for inclusive science teaching.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about applying a UDL lens to science inquiry, explore SNUDLE, a universally designed science notebook, and review freely available coaching resources developed through the OASIS project.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenters: Brenda Green, Christine Fox
In this interactive session, participants will step into an immersive learning experience designed to unravel the relationship between a multitiered system of support (MTSS) and inclusive technologies. The session will begin with a deep dive into the core principles of MTSS, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate inclusive tech practices into MTSS planning.
Participants will then explore the symbiotic relationship between MTSS and inclusive technology, enhancing data-driven decision-making for tailored student support.
Real-world examples of collaborative leadership will be showcased, followed by thought-provoking discussions on cross-functional team dynamics. Participants will engage in role-playing scenarios to deepen comprehension and apply their knowledge practically.
Administrators and educational technology professionals will leave empowered to create inclusive environments where every student thrives.
Time: 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenters: Michelle Soriano & Christine Fox
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.
Time: 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Laurie Prewandowski
This interactive, hands-on workshop introduces educators to Take Flight, a free, classroom-ready drone curriculum intentionally designed using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support learner success across diverse classrooms. Participants will explore how UDL strategies are embedded throughout the curriculum to reduce barriers, increase engagement, and promote student ownership in real-world STEM problem solving.
Through guided activities, discussion, and live demonstrations, educators will experience the curriculum from a learner’s perspective and leave with immediate access to the full Take Flight curriculum, practical implementation strategies, and concrete UDL “moves” they can apply to future STEM lessons. No prior drone experience required.
Day 2 - Friday, March 20, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Michelle Soriano
Join this engaging talk to gain insights into the assistive technology (AT) guidance released by the U.S. Department of Education in January 2024. Participants will have the opportunity to review critical myths and facts regarding AT and resources for students with disabilities and the practitioners, teachers, parents, and caregivers who educate and support them. Time permitting, attendees will review resources and discuss how to disseminate and implement the guidance.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenter: Brenda Green, Jenna Gravel
This interactive session guides educators in journey mapping the learning experiences of Multilingual Learners (MLs) to capture seen/unforeseen barriers, language demands, progress towards goals, access points, and options to promote agency and inclusivity. Participants will create a “learner journey map” that visualizes touchpoints across the lesson—academic, linguistic, social-emotional, and cultural. Using this map, we will identify lesson and classroom level barriers and use the UDL guidelines to design options in the learning environment that foster belonging, agency, and collective learning. Educators will leave with a ready-to-implement journey map and actionable design shifts to support their multilingual learners.
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Monique Evans, WestEd
Time: 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenter: Erik Chaffino, Ruben Salazar HS
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Kevin Le, Santa Ana Unified School District
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenter: Lisa Moe, Corona-Norco Unified School District
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Michelle Soriano
Get ready for an engaging and interactive experience! Join CAST as they bring a lively spin to understanding the essential concepts and relationships among accessible materials, assistive technology, and technology for supporting students with disabilities.
In this dynamic session, presenters will clarify how these components differ and complement each other, as well as showcase real-world examples of how they work together to ensure access and accessibility for students who need them.
They will also share practical resources and best practices for implementation, and facilitate discussions and reflections so you can apply what you learn to your own context.
Come join the fun, deepen your knowledge, and leave with actionable strategies to support every learner!
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenters: Fred Cochran, Becky Canham, Brenda Green
The California Coalition for Inclusive Learning (CCIL) is a statewide partnership dedicated to strengthening inclusive, UDL-aligned practices across California. In this session, explore the evolution of CCIL—from CCIL 1.0, which focused on building shared understanding and early implementation, to CCIL 2.0, which deepens coaching, reflection, and sustainability.
Participants will be introduced to ccil.cast.org, a curated hub of practical tools, short “Got a Minute?” learning videos, and UDL-aligned resources designed for busy educators. Whether you have a minute or an hour, CCIL offers flexible entry points to support inclusive design—right where you are.
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Jenna Gravel & Anne-Marie Knokey
Corgi is an easy-to use suite of graphic organizers that supports students to develop content-specific practices and habits of mind. By engaging with Corgi, students develop patterns of thinking and reasoning in a format that is accessible for every learner.
In this session, we will examine UDL through a discipline-specific lens. We’ll explore the ways Corgi leverages the UDL framework to support students to develop complex ways of thinking in science, including: Comparing and contrasting concepts, explaining cause and effect relationships, exploring open-ended questions, and using reasoning to determine if claims are supported by strong evidence.
You will have an opportunity to give Corgi a try and imagine how you might use this tool in your own contexts.
Time: 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenter: Ashley Beasley, Casimir Middle School/Torrance Unified School District
Day 3 - Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Michelle Soriano
Reading opens doors—but only if every learner can access the key. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the powerful connection between accessibility and literacy, uncovering strategies to ensure that print and digital materials are usable by all students, including those with disabilities.
Participants will clarify what accessibility means in the context of literacy, discover tools and practices that remove barriers to reading and comprehension, learn how accessible materials and technologies can transform literacy instruction, and engage in discussions and reflections to apply these ideas in their own classrooms.
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Location: Primrose D
Presenter: Tonya Coats, San Bernadino Country Superintendents Office
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Primrose C
Presenter: Jennifer Ortiz, Sage Oak Charter School
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Primrose D
About UDL-Con
UDL-Con: International is a global series of events dedicated to advancing Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework for addressing the educational needs of diverse and variable learners in many settings across all stages of life. Throughout 2026, UDL-Con is bringing the UDL community together through a live two-day global online conference, a series of free webinars, and in-person events designed to spark innovation and strengthen inclusive learning.
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