1EdTech and CAST partnership aims to support Universal Learning Design through interoperability, accessibility and data privacy
LAKE MARY, Florida, July 25, 2024 — Global nonprofits 1EdTech® Consortium and CAST announce a new partnership to power learner potential through equitable and inclusive learning experiences.
CAST is a global community devoted to designing equitable and inclusive learning experiences through its Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. 1EdTech’s community creates, evolves, and certifies interoperability standards, as well as offers a data privacy certification and several self-assessment rubrics to assist educational institutions in the procurement process.
The two organizations will highlight how educators can leverage 1EdTech’s interoperability standards to follow CAST's UDL framework and guidelines, including making it easier to offer a variety of edtech solutions tied to academic standards that meet the various learning styles, accessibility needs, and accommodations for students. The data privacy certification and self-assessment rubrics for security, generative AI data, and accessibility can also help districts and institutions have meaningful conversations with edtech suppliers during the procurement process.
“Data privacy is so important for UDL because while you want the right people to have student data in order to better serve the student, you also need to be sure it’s protected from individuals who shouldn’t have that sensitive information,” said Beatriz Arnillas, 1EdTech Vice President of Product Management. “Edtech suppliers want to offer the best products possible to their clients, and by completing these rubrics and having these conversations, they can gain a better understanding of what educators need from them. We are constantly reviewing and evolving our standards to better serve teaching and learning, and CAST’s expertise in UDL will be invaluable moving forward.”
“CAST is proud to partner with 1EdTech to champion the collaboration of state, district and school leaders from across organizations including general education, EdTech, IT, assistive technology and special education to ensure that all students are included from the moment learning launches. Securing accessibility features, data interoperability, the interoperability of devices with assistive technologies to meet personalized learning needs of learners from the start is imperative,” said Christine Fox, Vice President, Operations and Co-Project Director, CAST.
Arnillas will dive deeper into how interoperability supports UDL at CAST’s annual UDL-Con: International, July 30-31, 2024.
About 1EdTech
1EdTech is a member-based non-profit community partnership of leading education providers at all levels, government organizations, and edtech suppliers who collaborate to accelerate an open, trusted, and innovative digital learning ecosystem. We power learner potential by creating the foundation for a learner-centered and future-ready ecosystem where products work together to improve teaching and learning for all.
1EdTech hosts the annual Learning Impact Conference, Digital Credentials Summit, and other engagement opportunities to advance the leadership and ideas shaping the future of learning. The 1EdTech Foundation, an affiliated public charity, uses philanthropic funds to support 1EdTech's vision. Visit our website at 1edtech.org.
About CAST and CITES
CAST is a nonprofit education research and professional development and learning 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 is accessibility and accessible educational materials, as such, CAST runs The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and The Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES).
Our Mission: CAST leads, inspires, and convenes a global community to design equitable, inclusive learning experiences through our Universal Design for Learning framework.
Our Vision: We envision 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.
*The Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) - This content was developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H327T230001. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Anita Vermeer, M.Ed.
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