K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities Track
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not a special education teacher. Are courses in the K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities track for me?
Yes! The courses in the K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities track are for everyone. Whether you are an experienced special education teacher or new to supporting learners with disabilities, this course provides you with the tools to reach the widest range of learners in CS classrooms.
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for teaching. It aims to provide all individuals with equal opportunities to learn by offering multiple means of engagement, representation and action/expression. The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) developed this framework.
Can I skip the intro course if I already have a lot of experience with UDL?
We love that you’re already a UDL advocate! However, our introductory K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities course is the essential “entry point” for the rest of the courses in the track. It ensures that all participants share a common language and understanding of the pedagogical needs of CS students with disabilities as they move into more advanced courses.
What are High-Leverage Practices (HLPs)?
High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) are specific teaching practices that are essential to effective teaching, particularly in special education. These practices focus on collaboration, assessment, instruction and social-emotional support. This concept was developed through a collaborative effort by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the CEEDAR Center at the University of Florida. These 22 practices were identified for their frequent classroom use and proven ability to enhance learning outcomes when implemented effectively.
How do CS Everyone courses connect UDL, HLPs, and accessibility to computer science content and practice?
In CS Everyone microcredential courses, you don’t just learn about accessibility theory; you also learn about accessibility practice. Our students evaluate a CS website or a block-based coding platform (like Scratch) using the POUR framework. They also design lessons aligned with the UDL guidelines, including sparking students’ interest in a coding project, presenting CS concepts through texts, videos, and unplugged activities, and allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through pseudocode or a physical demonstration.
I don’t teach a formal Computer Science class. Will I still be able to create a relevant lesson plan?
Absolutely. If you are interested in integrating computational thinking into math, science, or even a library media block, this is for you. As long as you are teaching students how to think logically, use algorithms, or engage with technology to solve problems, the UDL principles you develop here will be directly applicable to your instructional footprint.
These courses seem to cover a lot of important topics. Is 20 hours really enough time?
20 hours are enough to change how you look at your classroom. Our streamlined microcredentials focus on just the essentials by creating a roadmap you can immediately use in your classrooms. This is an opportunity to gain and learn how to use a toolkit designed by University of Florida-affiliated experts who know precisely how much time you don’t have.
Are the CS Everyone K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities track microcredentials focused on a specific grade level?
Our courses are designed for teachers of each grade band (elementary, middle and high school). We intentionally provide examples at each level throughout our courses.
Will this course give me specific strategies for teaching CS to students with different disabilities (like dyslexia or autism)?
We share the 13 disability categories from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a starting point. However, teaching to a label can limit a student’s potential. Instead, we use the Social Model of Disability. This model says disability happens when the environment, like the curriculum, software, or classroom setup, creates barriers. It also focuses on using each student’s strengths to support learning.
If I complete both this course and the intro course, do I receive a cumulative ‘specialist’ badge or certification?
Each time you complete a course, you receive a designated badge from Credly. This stackable credential signals to your district and the broader CS community that you possess a specialized, high-demand expertise in designing CS environments where every learner can thrive.
Are all the courses in the K-12 CS for Learners with Disabilities track similarly structured?
We value your time, so we keep the format consistent: engaging content, bite-sized “I can” milestones and practical application. The workload is designed for the busy educator. You’ll spend less time on “busy work” and more time creating the actual materials you’ll use in your classroom on Monday morning.
