7.++CAST+-+Center+for+Applied+Special+Technology



CAST is a nonprofit education R&D group best known for defining and promoting the innovative concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL is a research-based framework for designing inclusive curriculum that is flexible and highly responsive to the needs of individual learners. With UDL as a guide, CAST investigates creative solutions to today's core educational challenge: designing curricula to better serve an increasingly diverse population.


 * CAST offers five fabulous -- and free!-- online tools to make education more engaging and accessible for all.**

1) **UDL BookBuilder** ([|http://bookbuilder.cast.org]) is a free resource to help teachers and parents develop their own digital books to support reading instruction for children ages 3 and up. Enables users to create, edit, and save their own online books.

2) **UDL Editions by CAST** ([]) offers classics from world literature like you've never seen them before -- in a flexible online interface that supports and engages novice and expert readers alike.

3) **CAST Strategy Tutor** ([]) offers adolescent readers and their teachers customizable mentoring and support as they conduct Internet research and read websites.

4) **UDL Lesson Builder** ([|http://lessonbuilder.cast.org]) is a free online tool that helps educators build options and supports into their lessons to reach and engage all students.

5) **UDL Curriculum Self-Check** ([]) provides an interactive tool to help educators identify areas of the curriculum where barriers may exist or more supports for diverse learners are needed.