Career and technical education programs are designed to open doors to high-demand, high-wage careers. And when students with disabilities gain access, the benefits are profound. Students with disabilities who participate in CTE are more likely to graduate on time (Carruthers et al., 2022). And to earn industry-recognized credentials that expand their career options (Dougherty et al., 2018). They are also more likely to secure full-time employment after high school than their peers with disabilities who don’t participate in CTE (Lee et al., 2016).
Despite these powerful benefits, however, barriers remain for many students who want to access CTE opportunities. Federal mandates and advances in educational technology have helped, but many classrooms, labs and work-based learning programs are still inaccessible. Not because educators lack commitment, but because they often lack the tools, training and resources needed to serve a wide range of learners.
CAST, the nonprofit behind the Universal Design for Learning framework, is working to change that. With funding from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and in partnership with ACTE, CAST is leading the creation of the CTE Accessibility Hub. This is a freely available online resource designed to provide CTE educators with tools to make their programs more inclusive. By equipping educators with the knowledge and resources they need, the Hub can help ensure that students of all abilities can fully participate in CTE and reap its life-changing benefits.
A shared commitment to inclusion
For MEAF, this project is part of a broader, decades-long commitment to supporting youth with disabilities. Since its founding 35 years ago, the foundation has focused on empowering young people with the skills, opportunities and confidence to thrive.
“From the very beginning, our foundation was focused on empowering youth with disabilities,” said Tara Havlicek, program manager at MEAF. “This work — equipping teachers, preparing employers and supporting students — is so important.”
While awareness of accessibility has grown, resources remain scarce. “Only about 5% of all foundation dollars nationwide support people with disabilities,” Havlicek explained. “That’s why projects like this Hub are so exciting. We can make real change by giving educators the tools and training they need.”
A hub designed by educators
The CTE Accessibility Hub will be hosted on ACTE’s CTE Learn platform. Educators across the country will gain access to a curated collection of resources grounded in UDL practices.
The CTE Accessibility Hub will feature:
- Case studies: The Hub will showcase real-world examples of accessible CTE programs. Each case study will highlight an assistive technology device that educators can use in the classroom.
- Downloadable tools and discussion protocols: These resources will help administrators lead conversations on accessibility with their teams, allowing for the development of local solutions and the identification of possible gaps or areas where CTE educators could use more support or training.
- Universal Design for Learning: The Hub will include professional development resources aligned with the UDL framework, designed to build educator confidence and capacity in supporting a wide range of learners.
“CTE teachers want to serve every student well,” Havlicek said. “But many come from industry and haven’t had the same pedagogical training as educators in other programs. The Hub is about giving them the tools and resources to feel confident, prepared and ready to include everyone.”
Listening first, building better
CAST is starting by listening to educators. In the past year, CAST and ACTE, with support from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, launched a national survey to better understand what educators need to make CTE accessible for students with disabilities. We have received hundreds of responses from instructors, administrators, and others who work at the secondary and postsecondary levels. And they have sent a clear message. CTE educators are eager to make their classrooms inclusive. In order to do so effectively, they need more tools, more time and more training.
Respondents identified access to assistive technologies, collaboration between CTE and special education staff, and targeted professional development as top priorities. Many also requested real-world examples of accessible CTE programs and adaptable templates that they can apply locally.
“This project is about making sure no one has to reinvent the wheel,” Havlicek explained. “If something amazing is happening in Ohio or Florida, how do we make sure that an educator in Utah can learn from it? That’s the beauty of the Hub — sharing best practices and making them accessible nationwide.”
Improving outcomes
A cornerstone of the Hub will be 10 in-depth case studies that profile schools, industry partners or programs successfully leveraging accessible technologies to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
These stories will highlight both successes and challenges, from embedding assistive technologies in automotive pathways to using AI tools to prepare students for job interviews in robotics and manufacturing. Importantly, each case study will include downloadable resources so administrators and educators can turn ideas into action.
The CTE Accessibility Hub represents a collaborative vision between CAST, MEAF and ACTE: a future where accessibility is built into the fabric of every CTE program.
“Accessibility can’t be an afterthought,” said Skip Stahl, founder of CAST and team member on the Accessibility Hub project. “By embedding UDL principles into every resource we create, the Hub will ensure that students with disabilities have the same opportunities to thrive in high-demand careers as their peers. That benefits everyone.”
Havlicek pointed to the broader workforce implications: “People with disabilities are 25% of the population, but they’re too often excluded from career pathways. We know that when students with disabilities are given the training and opportunities, they often become some of the best employees that companies have. The Hub is about making sure those opportunities are open to everyone.”
Shaping a stronger workforce
The launch of the CTE Accessibility Hub comes at a critical time. A recent report (Hetrick et al., 2024) projected that the nation could face a deficit of 6 million workers by 2032 in health care, utilities and other CTE-related industries. Addressing this gap will require tapping into the potential of students who have historically been left out, explained Havlicek.
“We can’t afford to set low expectations,” she said. “If you give students the training and the opportunity, they’ll rise to the occasion. That’s what makes this project so exciting. We’re helping educators see what’s possible, and we’re building a workforce that includes everyone.”
The Hub will debut on ACTE’s CTE Learn platform in 2026, with resources and case studies rolling out in phases. All materials will be free and available nationwide, making it easier than ever for CTE programs where every learner belongs. These efforts represent a growing national movement to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in career-connected learning.
Amanda Bastoni, Ed.D., is senior director of workforce and higher education implementation at CAST.
