Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Workshop with CAST

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Accessibility is not just a checklist—it is a mindset that ensures all learners can engage fully and equitably in education. In this interactive session, Dr. Luis Pérez, Director of Disability & Accessibility at CAST, will provide an engaging introduction to accessibility concepts and practices. Participants will learn how accessibility connects to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a CAST-developed framework for creating more inclusive experiences that work better for everyone from youth-geared educational programs to adult training programs. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of common barriers learners face and how to address them through a proactive design approach. 

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This session will be recorded and shared with registrants for limited-time viewing.

ArtsFund is pleased to host follow-up, 60-minute, drop-in zoom office hours, facilitated by CAST. These sessions are intended to be unstructured conversations, guided by your questions. Attend to ask your specific questions and learn from CAST and your peers. Please note that attendance at the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) workshop is not required to join this unstructured conversation, but having at least watched the recording of the session in advance of the office hours will help ensure we can make the best use of that time. 

When?

▪ Office Hours Session 1: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ( ASL interpretation will be provided during this session to ensure accessibility for all participants).
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▪ Office Hours Session 2: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
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ASL Interpretation

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There is space on the registration form to indicate any accessibility features needed to participate. You can also email Programs Coordinator Naunica Hull (cpn@artsfund.org) for additional needs.

Dr. Luis Pérez

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.

Luis was recognized with a 2020 ISTE Making It Happen award. Other recognitions include Apple Distinguished Educator (2009) and Google Certified Innovator (2014). He has published three books on accessibility, mobile learning, and UDL: Mobile Learning for All (Corwin Press), Dive into UDL (with Kendra Grant; ISTE, 2018) and Learning on the Go (CAST, 2018). He currently serves as a Workplace and Assistive Technology strand advisor for the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).

In addition to his work in educational technology, Luis is an avid photographer whose work has been featured on Better Photography magazine, Business Insider, the New York Times Bits Blog and the Sydney Morning Herald.

CAST envisions a world where all learning experiences in school, the workplace, and life are intentionally designed to elevate strengths and eliminate barriers so everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive. Reinforcing their resources and efforts is robust research and a dedication to the learning sciences. 

ArtsFund supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking in order to build a healthy, equitable, and creative Washington. Over its grantmaking history, ArtsFund has supported more than 650 arts organizations with more than $115 million in grants and championed leadership and advocacy for the cultural sector through programs such as Board Leadership Training, the Cultural Partners Network, and Building for the Arts capital funding. Join us and learn more at www.artsfund.org.