Center for Applied Special Technology

What Center for Applied Special Technology does

CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. The organization invented Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an evidence-based framework grounded in learning sciences (cognitive and neuroscience) that guides the design of flexible, inclusive educational experiences by providing flexibility in how information is presented, how students respond, and how they engage. CAST operates the AEM Center (National Center on Accessible Educational Materials) and CITES (Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems), maintains the freely accessible UDL Guidelines website, and develops digital tools including CAST Figuration, an MIT-licensed open-source framework for building accessible websites.

CAST serves PreK-12 educators, postsecondary faculty and instructional designers, school and district leaders, workforce and career-technical education programs, edtech developers, and families. Named institutional relationships include the Paraguay Ministry of Education (nationwide implementation), McGraw Hill, LEGO Education (UDL Product Certification for K-8 science curriculum), aiEDU, 1EDTECH, America Makes, Digital Promise, NSF (REVISE Center), and state education agencies in Michigan and Massachusetts. Scale signals include 19,000 teachers reached in 2024, activity in 21 countries and 42 U.S. states, and 40+ years of continuous operation.

The business model blends multiple revenue streams: professional development course fees (self-directed and instructor-led at $850-$1,250 per person), competency-based UDL Credentials and UDL Product Certification in partnership with Digital Promise, book and media publishing, accessibility consulting for ADA Title II compliance, donations, and grant-funded research partnerships. Distribution occurs through the CAST website store, the Canvas Catalog LMS, Eventbrite registration, purchase orders from institutional buyers, and customized enterprise engagements. The annual UDL-Con: International conference (July 21-22, 2026) and an Online Community including a UDL and AI Learning Community drive sustained engagement.

Name

Center for Applied Special Technology

Legal name

Center for Applied Special Technology, D/B/A CAST, Inc.

Website

https://cast.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CAST is a 40-year-old nonprofit that invented Universal Design for Learning (UDL), providing professional development, credentials, certification, consulting, and digital tools to PreK-12, postsecondary, workforce, and edtech customers across 21 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Inclusive Learning Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

akta.pro primary industry

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Classroom Support Platforms (EDAFAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH), Differentiated Instruction & Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Implementation Support (EDAKABAC), Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Content Services (EDAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Universal design learning
• Educational accessibility
• Inclusive learning frameworks
• Accessible educational materials
• Educator professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lynnfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Courses: Online courses in UDL implementation offered at various price points ($850-$1,250 per person). Includes self-directed mini courses, instructor-led courses, and graduate credit options. Revenue from individual registrations and institutional group purchases.
2. UDL Credentials and Certifications: CAST offers competency-based UDL Credentials (Mindset, Analysis, Application) and UDL Product Certification in partnership with Digital Promise. Digital badges awarded upon completion.
3. Publishing: CAST publishes books and media centered on inclusive learning principles guided by UDL. Available through the CAST catalog and store.
4. Consulting and Custom Solutions: Accessibility consulting services and customized professional development for schools, districts, and organizations implementing UDL or meeting ADA compliance requirements.
5. Digital Tools and Resources: Free and premium digital tools including CAST Figuration (open source), AEM Center resources, and vetted accessible educational materials guidance.
6. Donations: CAST accepts donations to support their mission of making education accessible to all learners through UDL implementation worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that invents, advances, and operationalizes the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to eliminate barriers in education. The organization sells professional development courses, UDL credentials and certifications, accessibility consulting, accessible books and media, and the CAST Figuration digital tool to educators, schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and EdTech product developers. It also operates the AEM Center, a federally funded national center providing technical assistance on accessible educational materials.

Product overview

CAST offers a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services centered on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework the organization invented based on learning sciences research. The portfolio spans professional development across PreK-12, postsecondary, and workforce sectors; research and development of innovative educational solutions; publishing of books and media; strategic partnerships; and accessibility & inclusive technology services. Core offerings include the UDL Guidelines framework, the UDL Schoolwide Implementation Criteria for school certification, and UDL Product Certification in partnership with Digital Promise. The organization operates the AEM Center (National Center on Accessible Educational Materials) and CITES (Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems). Digital tools include CAST Figuration for accessible web development. The product portfolio also includes courses with associated credentials (UDL Mindset, UDL Analysis, UDL Application), an AI & UDL Learning Community, the annual UDL-Con: International conference, the CAST UDL Awards program, books, whitepapers, and a professional podcast. The organization has 40+ years of experience, reaching 19,000 teachers in 2024 across 21 countries and 42 U.S. states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UDL Guidelines: A framework created by CAST based on extensive research for developing successful and inclusive learning experiences.
• AEM Center
• CITES
• CAST Figuration

Products and services

• CAST Online Learning (UDL courses)

Quantifiable outcome

• 19,000+ teachers reached in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LEGO EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026LEGO Education Science K-8 curriculum achieved CAST UDL Product Certification. Blog article 'UDL Beyond the Bricks' documents LEGO Education's journey to certification and how UDL and playful approaches informed their curriculum.
• McGraw HillcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026CAST supports the administration of the McGraw Hill Pathfinder Award, which recognizes innovative educators. Three 2026 award winners announced with CAST support. Collaborative effort to promote inventive teaching approaches.
• aiEDUcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Collaboration on AI in the Big Sky initiative providing 31 sites with AI Field Kits including drones and orbs. Joint effort to help Montana rural youth explore AI ethically under UDL principles.
• Paraguay Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Groundbreaking national initiative to strengthen inclusive education through nationwide UDL implementation. CAST partners with Paraguay's Ministry of Education to advance inclusive education practices across the country.
• Africa Dyslexia OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement 'Learning for All: Our Global Vision for Inclusive Education by 2030' alongside CAST and other international education organizations. Collaborative advocacy for inclusive education policy and practices globally.
• Global Schools ForumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Collaborative effort to advance inclusive education globally through shared advocacy and policy influence.
• LuminosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Collaborative advocacy organization focused on global education equity.
• Schools2030/Aga Khan FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Partnership advancing inclusive education initiatives in underserved communities globally.
• Relay Graduate School of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Collaborative partner in teacher preparation and inclusive education advocacy.
• Trevor Noah FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Partnership focused on inclusive education and youth development.
• Teach For AllminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Global network of independent social enterprises working toward educational equity.
• FANA-Ethiopia Center for Learning Differences and Speech-Language TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Signatory on joint statement for inclusive education vision 2030. Partnership focused on learning differences and speech-language therapy in Ethiopia.
• 1EDTECHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2025Partnership on the 1EDTECH Accessibility Rubric for EdTech content developers. Resource helps content developers self-assess accessibility progress and provides consumers with detailed information on accessibility conformance.
• SETDAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization of the AEM Center at CAST. SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association) supports accessible educational materials initiatives.
• ATIAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization of the AEM Center at CAST. ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) contributes to accessible educational materials and technology guidance.
• ISKMEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner organization of the AEM Center at CAST. ISKME supports open educational resources and accessibility initiatives.
• America MakesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Collaboration on additive manufacturing career guidance project creating free digital resources to attract individuals to career pathways in the additive manufacturing industry.
• Digital PromisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partnership for UDL Product Certification helping educators find accessible, functional edtech aligned with NETP goals. Certification ensures UDL design supports all learners.
• National Science Foundation (REVISE Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Partnership through REVISE Center - NSF AISL Resource Center working to create more accessible and universally-designed tools for informal STEM education.
• Upper Bucks County Technical SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Developing UDL Micro-Credential for CTE educators. Materials and resources designed to help CTE educators use UDL to help learners sustain effort and persistence.
• Michigan Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Improving career and technical education across Michigan by developing shared professional development vision and common student-centered language focused on inclusion and UDL framework.
• Massachusetts CTE SystemminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Bringing UDL to Career & Technical Education educators across Massachusetts. Partnership focused on equitable access to CTE for diverse learners.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Digital Promise: National nonprofit that partners with CAST on UDL Product Certification and shares the mission of accelerating innovation in education. Both operate as education R&D intermediaries bridging research, policy, and classroom practice.
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): Member organization driving technology standards and professional development for educators, including accessibility/Udl-aligned standards. Overlaps with CAST on educator credentials, certifications, and conference programming in the EdTech space.
• 1EdTech Consortium (formerly IMS Global): Standards body developing interoperability and accessibility specifications for EdTech; a documented CAST partner on the Accessibility Rubric. Competes/cooperates with CAST in shaping accessibility standards adopted by publishers and platforms.
• SETDA (State Educational Technology Directors Association): Partner organization of CAST's AEM Center, representing state EdTech leaders who drive accessibility and UDL adoption policy. Operates in adjacent education policy and professional learning space targeting the same K-12 leadership buyers.
• Understood.org: Nonprofit providing free resources, expert guidance, and community for people with learning and attention issues. Shares CAST's inclusive education mission and target audience of educators and families, though focused on awareness vs. framework ownership.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities: Advocacy and resource nonprofit for individuals with learning disabilities, focused on policy and adult outcomes. Operates in the same inclusive-education ecosystem as CAST, advocating for the same federal policy levers CAST's UDL framework operationalizes.
• AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability): Professional association supporting disability resource providers and postsecondary faculty on accessibility and inclusion. Direct overlap with CAST's Postsecondary Professional Development line, particularly around UDL in higher ed and ADA compliance.
• Quality Matters: Nonprofit providing peer-reviewed quality assurance and professional development for online and digital learning, including accessibility. Comparable in offering credentials/certifications and training to faculty and instructional designers in higher education.

Emerging players

• WIDA Consortium: Education R&D consortium housed at UW-Madison that develops standards and assessments for multilingual learners; comparable as a federally recognized, research-based standards owner in K-12 with similar credentialing and PD business model.

Broad incumbents

• American Institutes for Research (AIR): Large behavioral and social science research organization with a sizable education practice. Competes for the same federal education R&D grants and contracts that help fund CAST's research and AEM/CITES center work, but with much broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CAST_UDL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UDLCAST
• Facebookfacebook.com/53149933166
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/249511
• Instagraminstagram.com/cast_udl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Applied Special Technology