CAST and FETC Partner to Champion Inclusive Technology in Education

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 9, 2024 / CAST, a nonprofit leader in inclusive education, and the Future of Education Technology® Conference (FETC®) announced a groundbreaking partnership to advance inclusive technology practices in education. The collaboration will focus on FETC's Inclusive Technology Conference Strand at the 2025 event, taking place January 14-17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, as well as joint initiatives throughout the year.

This partnership emphasizes the importance of addressing learner variability and supporting individuals with disabilities. During FETC, CAST will host the Inclusive Leaders Summit on January 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring national thought leaders and an engaging agenda designed to foster dialogue and collaboration. Participation in the summit is complimentary for registered FETC attendees.

"CAST is honored to partner with FETC to champion systemic approaches to inclusive technology practices," said Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST. "The Inclusive Leaders Summit is a must-attend event for educators and administrators across EdTech, IT, assistive technology, and special education. Together, we'll explore the latest trends, tools, and strategies for creating accessible, equitable learning environments. This is an unparalleled opportunity to drive meaningful change for students of all abilities."

Jennifer Womble, FETC Conference Chair, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "Attending the Inclusive Summit at the Future of Educational Technology Conference is essential for educators and administrators to stay informed on Department of Justice rulings, new legislation, and policy changes impacting special education. This ensures they can implement the latest updates in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and integrate compliant, innovative practices that enhance accessibility and support for all students."

The summit will focus on practical resources for systemic change and the latest developments in Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Attendees can look forward to sessions designed to explore assistive technology best practices and inclusive leadership practices and leave equipped with actionable strategies to create equitable, accessible learning environments.

For CAST media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Kisha Barton, Senior Director of Communications, at kbarton@cast.org.

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About CAST

CAST is a nonprofit education organization that created the Universal Design for Learning framework and UDL Guidelines, now used the world over to make learning more inclusive. At the foundation of UDL are accessibility and educational materials. CAST also leads The Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES).

About the Future of Education Technology® Conference (FETC®)

The Future of Education Technology® Conference (FETC®) is the nation's premier event for exploring cutting-edge educational technologies and best practices. Each year, FETC attracts thousands of K-12 education and technology leaders for immersive professional development and hands-on demonstrations. Featuring over 450 exhibitors, FETC empowers educators to integrate technology effectively across curricula and roles. For more information, visit www.FETC.org.

Source: CAST