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ABOUT
Mission Statement
Accessible Academics is a not-for-profit agency that advocates for inclusion and supports people with disabilities to become independent.
Vision Statement
We will provide services accessible to all locally and leverage technology to reach service deserts around the nation.
Core Values
Inclusivity, Accessibility, Integrity, Advocacy, & Giving our Students Agency.
Founder & CEO
Azure Showers, Ed.M.
Azure Showers (she/they) is a New York certified teacher with her Masters in Education who has been working with high school and college students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with disabilities and who are considered at-risk, for over a decade.
She founded the non-profit Accessible Academics in 2016 to help her students complete their college degrees and live independently in the community. Her dream is for every student to have access to postsecondary support and believes that the organization is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
Board of Directors
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Justin Kiernan – President
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Barbara Boese- Vice President
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Michael Avillo – Secretary
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Laura Mandel – Treasurer
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Laura Pietak
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Shannon Carrigan
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Paige Carstensen
Our Story
After Azure Showers' former transition program left Buffalo, she had a choice to either relocate or create. She chose to launch Accessible Academics to ensure her caseload of students did not have to stop their transition work. Azure wanted her students to graduate with an education that would serve them for all of their life goals.
At the time of Accessible Academics' founding, Azure recognized the many failings of the post-secondary transition world in Western New York (WNY), beginning with the fact that there were limited options available at no or low cost to students with disabilities and to those from low-income communities. Navigating the process of support was also a challenge for young adults, as most Medicaid-funded programs divided support amongst different staff members, resulting in student confusion. Other transition programs available limited students to only auditing classes, preventing them from gaining qualifications which could open doors in adult life. Still others were college-focused only, restricting access to other institutions and the types of credentials students could earn. Azure knew that a program like Accessible Academics could serve a community of students who were being failed by the traditional education system.
Accessible Academics addresses each of these challenges by matching every one of our students to a coach who will provide personalized assistance in service of student goals. With Accessible Academics, students can attend any post-secondary program in WNY, receive credit, and graduate with any degree or certificate. Given that many students want to work toward self-employment goals or earn a GED, Accessible Academics also provides services to allow students with disabilities and those from low-income households to focus on their career and independent living skills.
We know that the process of pursuing college, a trade school, a GED program, or post-secondary employment can be challenging for students – and we want to be there to help. We bring the essential knowledge, skills, and positive outlook essential for growth and development. With Accessible Academics' guidance and students’ personal effort, our students see the results they want.
Student Stories
Matthew, Student
Matthew Valente has been working with Accessible Academics since fall 2020 to complete online courses at SUNY Erie and publish animated poems on endangered and misunderstood animals. He is working with our professional animator, Cote Zellers, to bring his poetry to life. Matthew has been featured on The Art of Autism’s website for his #ActuallyAutistic animated poetry. You can visit Matthew's YouTube channel to see his animated poems.
Josh, Student
“When I was in need of an internship to complete my BS in Information Sciences and Technology, I contacted Accessible Academics for help. It wasn’t long until I was traveling to University at Buffalo to complete my internship in user experience development. Accessible Academics was there to support and guide me every step of the way. My internship experience was my first true test of my independent living skills as a young adult with Autism. Accessible Academics assisted not only with my work and study habit development, but with training in household management and stress management.
I am happy to say that, thanks in large part to the support provided by Accessible Academics, I completed my degree and am now gainfully employed in the field of Information Technology for one of the world’s largest business-to-business finance organizations. I am excited for Accessible Academics as it moves forward...and provides support services for an increasing number of young adults in need. I have the utmost faith that, with hard work and dedication, they too will succeed academically and in life itself.”
David, Parent
“Our daughter couldn’t have been so successful in college at ECC without the help, guidance, and support of Accessible Academics. The program goes well beyond academics and has helped our daughter to be more confident and secure. This service is extremely important and valuable for families with children who have LD, ADHD, and ASD. Accessible Academics’ services is a Godsend.”
Our Program Fliers
High School Transition Services
Transition Program
ACCES-VR Services