INTERNAL PD OPPORTUNITY: Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning with Luis Perez

The ADE/ESS Assistive Technology (AT) team is pleased to announce our second installment of the 2026–27 national presenter series: Luis Perez, Ph. D will present two virtual after-school sessions designed for special and general education teachers, school administrators, IT and Ed Tech staff, and related service providers. Join us for one, or both engaging sessions.

Session 1:         Building the Foundation: UDL, Accessibility, and Designing for Learner Variability
Date:                 Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time:                3:30 p.m.−5:00 p.m. (MST, Arizona Time)  
Fee:                   Free
Where:             Virtual (Zoom)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility are often discussed together, but how do they complement one another in creating learning experiences that work for all learners? In this interactive session, participants will explore the core concepts of UDL, the importance of designing for learner variability, and the role accessibility plays in reducing barriers to learning. Through real-world examples and reflection activities, participants will develop a shared understanding of how UDL moves beyond compliance to create flexible, engaging, and meaningful learning opportunities for all learners.

Register for Building the Foundation: UDL, Accessibility, and Designing for Learner Variability

Session 2:        Bringing UDL to Life: Practical Lesson Planning and Implementation Strategies
Date:                Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time:               3:30 p.m.−5:00 p.m. (MST, Arizona Time)
Fee:                  Free
Where:            Virtual (Zoom)

Translating UDL principles into everyday practice can feel challenging, but small design decisions can have a significant impact on learner success. Building on the concepts introduced in Session 1, this hands-on workshop focuses on practical strategies for planning lessons, activities, and assessments using a UDL lens. Participants will apply UDL guidelines to real instructional scenarios from their own contexts, explore planning tools and templates, and leave with actionable strategies they can immediately implement in their own learning environments. 

Register for Bringing UDL to Life: Practical Lesson Planning and Implementation Strategies

Luis Perez, Ph. D., Special Education, University of South Florida 
M. Ed., Instructional Technology, University of South Florida 
B.A., Political Science, Haverford College 
 
As the Senior Director of Disability & Accessibility for CAST, Luis promotes the creation, delivery and use of high-quality accessible educational materials and technologies to support learning opportunities for all students. He is embedded with the Postsecondary and Workforce Development group at CAST, and in this role works to increase access to middle- and high-income careers for everyone. Luis is also a co-host of the CAST podcast, The Learning Experience, with new episodes launching monthly. His perspective is informed by his own experiences as a user of assistive technology.

Luis is the Principal Investigator for the Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) at CAST, which aims to empower school districts to build and maintain technology systems that include every student, particularly children and youth with disabilities who require assistive technology and accessible materials. Outside of CAST, Luis is also a co-Principal Investigator on the Resource Collaborative for Immersive Technologies (RECITE) and its related project KonnectXR. These two National Science Foundation-funded projects seek to improve STEM technician education through the accelerated integration of cutting-edge extended reality technologies into technician classrooms.

If you have questions, please email [email protected].