Back to Events

UDL-Con at Spring Forward 2027, powered by CALIE

March 18, 2027 - March 20, 2027

Palm Springs, CA

Spring Forward, Calie 2027 Annual Conference, featuring CAST | UDL-Con

*Use code CAST27 to receive complimentary access to the CAST UDL Credential Level 1 ($50 value)

Universal Design for Learning, accessibility, and inclusive educational innovation return to Palm Springs

Following the successful launch of UDL-Con at Spring CUE 2026, CAST and CALIE (California Association for Leading Innovation in Education) are continuing their partnership for Spring Forward 2027, taking place March 18-20, 2027, in Palm Springs, California. The expanded collaboration will bring together district administrators, educators, school leaders, instructional coaches, and technology innovators to explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and inclusive technology can improve outcomes for all learners.

We’re excited to launch new UDL experiences at Spring Forward 2027. In 2027, you can expect:

Two dedicated UDL session rooms throughout the conference
Sessions led by CAST experts, district leaders, and classroom practitioners
Research-based strategies to remove barriers and design for learner variability
Practical tools that integrate UDL with instructional innovation and technology
A focus on building expert learners—purposeful, resourceful, and motivated

You’ll find CAST’s preconference workshops, 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.

Register for UDL-Con at Spring Forward 2027

UDL-Con sessions are included with Spring Forward 2027 registration. CALIE membership is not required to register or attend the conference. Non-members can purchase CALIE membership during checkout for $50.

Spring Forward 2027 Registration (Member): $485
Spring Forward 2027 Registration (Non-Member): $693
Preconference Workshop Registrations: $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.

*Use discount code CAST27 when registering to receive complimentary access to the CAST UDL Credential Level 1 ($50 value).

UDL-Con Preconference Workshops

CAST will offer two interactive pre-conference workshops designed for educators and leaders looking to strengthen accessibility and inclusive instructional design practices.

March 17, 2027
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
$250 per workshop
Lunch included
Conference registration is not required

When: March 17, 2027 · 10am-3pm
Price: $250 (stand-alone; no conference pass required)
Lunch included

Accessibility can feel complex, but it doesn’t have to be. This preconference breaks down the essentials of accessible educational materials and assistive/accessible technology and shows how they work together with Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Through guided discussion, examples, and practical application, participants will build a clearer understanding of how accessibility supports learner variability and strengthens everyday instruction. Walk away with actionable ideas and strategies for designing learning that works for all learners from the start.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand and identify how accessible materials and technologies support diverse learners
Recognize common barriers in educational materials and learning environments
Apply practical accessibility strategies to instructional design and teaching
Leave with actionable ideas for creating more inclusive learning experiences

When: March 17, 2027 · 10am-3pm
Price: $250 (stand-alone; no conference pass required)
Lunch included

This session 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 UDL Guidelines, and apply them to real classroom examples by observing and analyzing teaching videos through a UDL lens. The workshop culminates in a hands-on activity where participants design or redesign a lesson using the UDL Lesson Designer, ensuring that learning experiences are accessible and engaging for all students. Whether you’re new to UDL or an experienced leader, this workshop will help you deepen your understanding and strengthen your ability to implement UDL effectively. Administrators will deepen their understanding of the research of UDL and implementation practices, educators have the opportunity to reflect on their teaching and enhance lessons with UDL.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and explain how learner variability influences instructional design
Analyze learning experiences through a UDL lens to identify barriers and opportunities for increasing access, participation, and engagement
Use the UDL Guidelines to make informed instructional decisions that support diverse learner needs, strengths, and preferences
Apply the UDL design process to create or enhance a lesson that provides flexible pathways for engagement, representation, and action & expression
Reflect on how UDL practices can foster learner agency, belonging, and meaningful participation in learning environments

CAST Sessions at Spring Forward 2027

Presenter: Brenda Green

Description:
Educators often recognize barriers in learning environments but struggle to turn those insights into actionable design decisions. Using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, participants will learn to identify barriers, uncover limiting assumptions, and generate flexible design options that expand access and opportunity for all learners. They will leave with practical strategies, a planning tool, and a protocol for applying UDL to instructional design and supporting more inclusive learning experiences. This session is intended for educators designing and supporting instruction.

Presenter: Michelle Soriano

Description:
Many educators work hard to support students by providing accommodations after barriers arise. But what if we designed learning experiences that anticipated learner needs before challenges emerged? In this interactive session, participants will explore the relationship between accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and learn how proactive design can create more equitable learning environments for all students. Through real-world classroom examples, educators will identify common barriers found in lessons, assessments, instructional materials, and classroom routines, then apply.

Presenter: Christine Fox

Description:
What if accessibility wasn’t just a requirement, but a catalyst for better learning outcomes? In this interactive session, discover how Title II can help schools and districts create digital learning environments where every student can access, engage with, and succeed in learning. Explore practical tools, real-world examples, and proven strategies for moving beyond compliance to build a culture of accessibility, inclusion, and innovation.

Presenter: Michelle Soriano

Description:
Accessibility does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. In this fast-paced, practical session, participants will explore 25 evidence-based accessibility strategies that can be applied immediately across instruction, assessments, learning materials, communication, and educational technology. Each strategy includes real classroom examples and actionable implementation tips that support all learners. Whether you are just beginning your accessibility journey or looking to strengthen inclusive teaching practices, this session will provide practical tools, quick wins, and sustainable strategies you can put into practice right away.

Presenter: Michelle Soriano

Presenter: Brenda Green

Description:
Too often, mathematics instruction focuses on content coverage rather than the learner experience. In this session, participants will explore how learner variability shapes engagement, sense-making, and mathematical thinking. Using a UDL lens, educators will identify barriers in mathematics learning and use learner experience mapping to redesign lessons, routines, and assessments that increase access, agency, belonging, and understanding for all students. This session is intended for educators and school leaders designing and supporting mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessments.

Presenter: Christine Fox

Description:
What if screen time could be a powerful tool for inclusion, engagement, and learner success? Explore how accessible technology, assistive technology, and AI can help students communicate, create, collaborate, and demonstrate what they know. You’ll leave with fresh perspectives, practical resources, and concrete strategies for ensuring technology serves a purpose: helping every learner access, participate in, and shape their own learning journey.

Presenter: Christine Fox

Description:
Ready-to-use professional learning resources can help turn accessibility goals into meaningful action. Join to explore the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) Professional Learning Kits, featuring short videos, facilitation guides, discussion prompts, and implementation tools designed for busy district and school leaders. Discover how to spark impactful conversations, build staff capacity, and create inclusive technology systems that expand access, participation, and success for every learner.

Presenter: Niel Albero

Description:
Every UDL journey is unique. In this interactive session, educators from Palm Springs Unified School District will share authentic stories of implementing Universal Design for Learning in their classrooms, schools, and systems. Participants will hear practical examples of how educators identified and reduced barriers, designed for learner variability, expanded opportunities for student agency, and responded to challenges along the way. Through storytelling and reflection, attendees will gain insights, strategies, and inspiration for advancing UDL implementation in their own contexts.