Open Access Newsletter

Open Access is a statewide Special Education Resource Lead based in the foundational belief that with access to quality curriculum & instruction, students with disabilities can engage, actively participate, and learn with inclusive settings.



Learning and participation for all…where UDL, AT, and AAC collide

A Message From SIL

Heidi Hata, Director

Connecting Continuous Improvement and Inclusive Practice

Heidi Hata serves as the Director for System Improvement Leads (SIL), a statewide initiative focused on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. SIL partners with districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and SELPAs across California to strengthen their use of continuous improvement. Through practical tools, professional learning, and ongoing coaching, the SIL team helps educators understand challenges, investigate root causes, test changes, and learn whether those changes are making a difference for students.

“SIL and Open Access share a commitment to improving access, participation, and outcomes for California’s students with disabilities.”

This shared commitment brings together complementary expertise. SIL supports teams in understanding the systems and practices contributing to student outcomes, while Open Access brings expertise in Universal Design for Learning, Assistive Technology, and Augmentative Alternative Communication. Together, this partnership connects improvement planning with practical approaches to removing barriers to learning.

“Together, we support educators in identifying what needs to change and building the capacity to put those changes into practice.”

Systems-Level Impact

Turning Improvement Efforts into Student Impact

SIL-supported districts are seeing progress in areas that directly affect students’ educational experiences:

• Increased graduation rates
• Decreased chronic absenteeism
• Improved Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes

To help educators learn from this work, SIL’s Strategies That Work series highlights educator-tested strategies from across California connected to measurable improvement. These resources offer practical ideas that teams can adapt and apply within their own schools and systems.

The upcoming SIL Summit on December 10–11, 2026, provides another opportunity to learn and connect. The Summit brings educators and Statewide System of Support partners together to explore tools, share practices, and learn from one another’s experiences. Participants build connections that support more inclusive learning environments and better student outcomes.

Open Access is honored to partner with SIL in connecting continuous improvement with inclusive practice, helping educators turn shared goals into meaningful changes for students across California.

Want to Learn More About SIL?

To learn more about System Improvement Leads, visit the SIL Website.

Spotlight Section

Key Resource to Strengthen Improvement Work

Strategies That Work

Strategies That Work: Proven Strategies. Real Results.

Looking for practical ideas to inform your school or district’s improvement efforts? The Strategies That Work documents, created by System Improvement Leads (SIL), highlight educator-tested approaches from across California that are connected to real, measurable improvement. This curated collection brings together tools and strategies that show what is working in schools and systems, helping educators connect promising practices to their own local priorities.

These documents offer a starting point for team learning, reflection, and planning. Explore approaches that address challenges similar to yours, consider how they could be adapted to your setting, and identify actionable next steps. Teams can use the collection to spark conversations about current practices, guide improvement efforts, and consider how they will monitor progress.

Whether you are refining an existing approach or exploring a new one, these resources invite you to learn from the experiences of fellow educators and turn their insights into action. Explore the collection to find strategies that connect to your goals and support improved outcomes for students.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Registration is now Open!

Open Access 2026-2027 Trainings

UDL Foundations Training

AT Foundations Training

AAC Foundations

Inclusive Learning Circles

Monthly Community of Practice

Fostering Synergy Between UDL, AT, & AAC 

Open to all educators to expand knowledge & share best practices 

Asynchronous Course Offerings

For general questions and information about Open Access, please email us at

lpadilla@placercoe.org or lbalsano-wright@placercoe.org

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