Intro to UDL, HLPs, & Accessibility in K-12 CS Education
This microcredential course is an introduction to strategies to support all learners, including those with disabilities, in K-12 CS Education. This course will explore many questions including why students with disabilities should be included in K-12 CS education as well as an introduction to effective instructional practices for all learners (e.g., Universal Design for Learning, High Leverage Practices, and accessibility). The course will present research-supported instructional practices and frameworks to reduce barriers to participation for all learners in K-12 CS education.
Currently accepting registrations!
Spring 2026 session
Course begins: February 17, 2026.
Registration closes: February 11, 2026.
Current registration cost:
$60
Modules
Module 1: Introduction
Explore the historical and contemporary landscape of disability, moving beyond deficit-based models to understand learner variability as the norm, not the exception, in the classroom.
Module 2: Introduction to Accessibility in K-12 CS
Learn about legal and ethical requirements related to accessible education (e.g., IDEA, Section 504), defining digital accessibility, while identifying barriers in CS learning environments, and exploring accessible CS tools and curricula.
Module 3: Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Explore UDL principles, the UDL Guidelines, distinguishing UDL from differentiation and accommodation, and applying the UDL lens to CS lesson goals and materials.
Module 4: Introduction to High-Leverage Practices (HLPs)
Discover the HLP domains, take a deep dive into instructional HLPs (e.g., modeling, scaffolding, explicit teaching), and connecting HLPs to the delivery of UDL-designed CS lessons.
Module 5: Conclusion
Synthesize the knowledge gained across all previous modules. Create a brief action plan for integrating the principles of Accessibility, UDL, and HLPs into K-12 CS instructional practice.
Statistics
States participating:
School districts participating:
Teachers enrolled since course launch:
Completion rate:
65%
Testimonials
As a special education teacher for middle school science, my perception has shifted from believing that basic accommodations were enough to realizing the importance of proactively designing lessons that address diverse needs. One specific strategy I plan to use is providing students with multiple ways to show their understanding—such as projects, presentations, or written responses—drawing from UDL guidelines. My biggest “aha!” moment was seeing how small, intentional changes in lesson structure can dramatically improve accessibility and engagement for all my students, not just those with IEPs.
This school year I started a Unified Robotics Club at my school, in partnership with Special Olympics and the FTC Robotics Club that I lead. As I engaged with this UDL Course, I was reflecting on how to continue to scaffold and improve the experiences of students in the Unified Robotics program. I currently push into a ‘self-contained’ class once a week with students from the FTC Robotics Club. We have done some engaging work through intentional instructional groupings, and scaffolded, gradual release type lessons; using tools like Sphero Indi and Sphero Mini robots. I am reflecting on how to continue to integrate physical computing devices into my classrooms and across the school community; and how to best build out curricula and materials for this work so that all students can perceive, operate, and understand the tools and engage in robust and powerful learning experiences.
Registration Information
For Districts
Empower your K-12 educators with our Introduction to UDL, HLPs, & Accessibility in K-12 CS Education Microcredential Course! Districts can benefit from bulk purchasing options, a customized contract with payment deferred until course completion, and a dedicated online section exclusively for your staff. Elevate CS integration across your district!
Contact us to learn more: cseveryone@coe.ufl.edu.
For Individuals
Teachers! Ready to enhance your skills? Register now for our microcredential course!
Here are the steps to register a single teacher:
- Log into the course catalog system
- If you have an active Gatorlink (@ufl.edu email), use the top login.
- If not, use the Guest login and create an account. Complete the personal information, answering only mandatory questions. You will need to verify your email address by clicking a link sent to your email.
- Once you are logged in, go to our course in the course catalog: 778019 – Introduction to UDL, HLPs, and Accessibility in K-12 CS Ed
- Click on the UDL-1-SPR2026 section title to view more details.
- Click Add to Cart.
- Checkout and complete payment.
Reach out to Dr. Leela Kumaran at lkumaran@coe.ufl.edu for any issues.
