Wired for Equity: Bridging the Disability Gap in Classrooms

Event Description

This event is co-hosted with New America.

The 2026 digital divide in education is increasingly about access. Technology designed with accessibility in mind, especially for learners with disabilities is key to overcoming barriers from K-12 to higher education. Yet recent policy changes, like the delay of the Department of Justice’s web accessibility rule, create barriers to reaching major milestones in accessible education. Compliance alone is not enough. For millions of learners with disabilities the rise of AI-driven learning and hybrid classrooms presents both opportunities and risks of further exclusion.

This event cohosted by New America and CAST will convene educators, policy experts, and technology leaders to discuss what matters in design, practices, and policies so Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can move from a framework to a practical application in supporting access in classrooms. The panels will explore how educators are utilizing emerging AI tools to scale accessibility, the impact of recent federal funding shifts on special education research, and how to design accessible curricula that meet all learners’ needs.

Speakers

• Elwin Rivera, Recent High School Graduate
• Saran Tugsjargal, Student and NCLD Council Member
• Chris Bugaj, Inclusive Educational Experience Designer, Loudoun County Public Schools
• Anna Fedewa, Social Impact Fellow, New America and CAST
• Michelle Soriano, Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist, CAST
• Camila Franco, Vice President of Product, ASSISTments
• Erin Mote, Chief Executive Officer, InnovateEDU

Moderators

• Carrie Gillispie, Project Director, Early Development & Disability, New America
• An-Me Chung, Director, Teaching, Learning & Tech & Strategic Advisor, Education & Work, New America
• Lindsay Jones, Chief Executive Officer, CAST

Register

New America strives to make this webinar inclusive for all participants. CART and ASL will be provided throughout the duration of the webinar. Please request any additional accommodations on the event registration form.

Register for the event