{"id":933,"date":"2026-06-22T13:38:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/students.austincc.edu\/student-accessibility-services\/?p=933"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:38:59","slug":"ads-student-summer-2026-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/students.austincc.edu\/student-accessibility-services\/news-and-updates\/ads-student-summer-2026-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"ADS Student Summer 2026 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Message from ADS Leadership-<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Welcome to Summer 2026! <\/p>\n

We hope your summer is off to a great start! Please enjoy the information below, carefully cultivated by our dedicated team. We hope you have a supported, accessible, and rewarding experience this summer!<\/p>\n

-ADS Leadership<\/p>\n

TimelyCare:<\/strong> <\/strong>Welcome to a new semester, Riverbats! A new semester can be exciting \u2014 and a little overwhelming. Between classes, work, and life outside school, your well-being matters more than ever.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That\u2019s why Austin Community College gives college credit students<\/strong> free, 24\/7 access to TimelyCare \u2014 virtual medical and mental health support you can use anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n

Please review<\/strong> ACC Launching Healthcare Pilot Program for Students This Fall<\/a> for more information..<\/p>\n

TimelyCare is also designed to be accessible, so you can get secure, reliable care without running into common barriers. Learn more at timelycare.com\/accessibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Getting started is simple \u2014 just download the TimelyCare app or visit <\/a>timelycare.com\/austincc<\/a> click \u201ccreate an account\u201d to login with your ACC email.<\/p>\n

Student Reminders:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Submit Your Semester Accommodation Requests!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each semester you must submit your accommodation request(s) for each course you are enrolled in if you want the Faculty Notification Letters issued to your instructors.  Since accommodations are not retroactive, it\u2019s important to submit your requests at least 3 weeks before the start of each semester.  <\/p>\n

Review the guide on how to request your Faculty Notification Letters (FNL).<\/a> <\/p>\n

Take some time to review our webpage! <\/strong>We are in the process of updates to much of our content, so continue to check in and familiarize yourself with all kinds of helpful information!
We suggest:<\/p>\n

-Student Rights and Responsibilities<\/a><\/p>\n

–Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/p>\n

– If you need to connect with someone virtually or in-person for any reason, please visit:  <\/strong>Contact SAS | Student Accessibility Services<\/strong><\/a> to find the direct contact information to connect directly with an Advocate or someone else on our team!<\/p>\n


<\/strong>Student Spotlight!<\/strong>
<\/strong>SAS Students do incredible things! Here are a few recent ones we\u2019d like to shine a spotlight on!<\/h2>\n

Suha Kavakli is a current SAS student who earned her GED at ACC, completed TSI Prep courses and the ESOL program, and is now taking college credit pre-requisite courses to pursue a health sciences degree. Suha leveraged support from SAS, Adult Educaiton, ESOL, tutoring and other ACC support systems to overcome setbacks and meet her goals. She was recently celebrated for her drive and tenacity as a featured student speaker during this May\u2019s National Adult Educaiton Honor Society (NAEHS) Ceremony held at ACC\u2019s Eastview Campus (listen to her share her inspiring story, and words of wisdom, starting at minute 17<\/a>). Suha\u2019s story was also featured on NPR\u2019s Marketplace podcast – you can read the article here<\/a>, or start listening for Suha\u2019s story about 15 minutes in.<\/p>\n

In April 2026, our very own ACC student, Mark Olaiz, led an engaging presentation entitled Disability Pride as Resistance. He taught us about the changing models of disability, relevant laws, and how to advocate for yourself and others. More about Mark in his own words:<\/p>\n

I am on a mission to show the world that \u2018unique abilities\u2019 are not barriers\u2014they are powerful perspectives that make our communities stronger. My journey began in Granbury, Texas, a small town where resources for someone living with Cerebral Palsy and visual impairment were almost non-existent. I learned early on that when the system isn’t built for you, you have to be the one to unlock the door.<\/p>\n

I moved to Austin because I refused to let a lack of resources define my potential. Since then, I have dedicated my career to breaking glass ceilings and creating paths for others. From serving as the first visually impaired front desk worker at the Greater Austin YMCA to my extensive work in the Texas education system\u2014supporting students from preschool through high school\u2014I have seen firsthand where our systems succeed and where they fall short.<\/p>\n

Most recently, I have taken my advocacy to a larger stage, appearing on Austin\u2019s local news for \u2018Medicare Mondays\u2019 to speak on healthcare accessibility and policy. Currently, I am advancing my studies in Vocational Rehabilitation to further my goal of educating schools, employers, and public spaces on the necessity of universal design. I don\u2019t just advocate for a single diagnosis; I advocate for a world where every individual, regardless of their disability, has the tools, the access, and the community support to live independently and build the life they want <\/p>\n

Find him on tiktok: blindeducatedmartinez and instagram: daredevil_blind_2.0<\/p>\n

AIM Version 5- IT\u2019S HERE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019re excited to share that our accommodation management system, AIM, will transition to Version 5 in 2026. While the core structure of the student profile will remain familiar, this updated version introduces several enhancements designed to improve the user experience for students, faculty, and staff.<\/p>\n