We are excited to welcome Amber Kallassy (Access Coordinator) and Andrew De Avila (Assistive Technology and Access Coordinator) to Disability and Access!
Amber Kallassy (she/her) is originally from upstate New York. She attended Nazareth College in Rochester, NY for undergrad, and the University at Buffalo for grad school, where she earned a MA and AC in School Psychology. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and has worked as a school psych for approximately 8 years completing psychoeducational evaluations and counseling students in school districts across New York, Massachusetts, and most recently, virtually in Michigan. She also comes with 4 years of experience working in higher education disability services and support roles, previously working at higher ed institutions like the Rochester Institute of Technology. Amber has also worked as a yoga teacher, and can sometimes be found exploring the studios around town. Amber is so excited to return to working in Higher Education, and working with the UT community to help make the educational environment more accessible for all. In her free time, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, and getting to know her new hometown of Austin – especially figuring out all the best local places to eat!
Andrew (he/him) is originally from El Paso, Texas. He is a experienced professional with a unique combination of ten years of business experience under the Business Enterprise of Texas program and eleven years of specialized training in assistive technology. Most recently, Andrew served as an Assistive Technology Instructor at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. In this role, he worked closely with individuals who were new to blindness, utilizing technology with accessibility features to empower them to become independent. His efforts focused on facilitating their journey to finding competitive employment or enrolling in higher education.
With a profound dedication to assistive technology, he earned a Master’s Degree in Assistive Technology from Northern Arizona University. Currently, Andrew is further deepening his expertise through a Ph.D. in Leadership in Special Education at Texas Tech University.
Beyond his professional commitments, Andrew cherishes his roles as a devoted husband and father to his 3-year-old and 6-month-old daughters. Their laughter and milestones continually inspire him to create a world that recognizes and values every individual’s potential. He is excited to bring his passion to The University of Texas at Austin.