Virginia Tech® home

January 2026 SSD Faculty/Staff Newsletter

Happy New Year! Here’s to an Amazing Spring Semester!

Announcements

Registerblast

What to Know

  • Register Blast integrates with Canvas.
  • Students will schedule their own exams within parameters set by their instructors.
  • Instructors can copy and edit other exam reservations they have submitted instead of having to create a completely new exam reservation each time.
  • Instructors will be automatically notified by the system if any actions are required on their part regarding a student’s exam accommodation (ex. submission of a large print exam).
  • Instructors are able to upload exams and download completed exams entirely from the instructor portal in Register Blast.

Accessible Materials Coordinator Office Hours

Starting January 26, 2026, Madison Justice, the Accessible Materials Coordinator will hold open office hours on the following days:

  • Mondays 10-11 a.m.
  • Thursdays 2-3 p.m.

Instructors can use this time to troubleshoot and ask questions about RegisterBlast. Office hours are available via Zoom.

Interested in RegisterBlast training for your department? Contact ssd@vt.edu.

Learn more about the Werth Testing Center.

Coming Soon

Flex Plan Module

SSD will roll out a new tool, the Flex Plan Module, to reduce the administrative burden associated with Attendance and Deadline Accommodations! Instead of emailing back and forth with an Access Specialist to share information about their course, instructors will now simply fill out a form in AIM.

Check out the instructional video to learn more

Outreach and Engagement

Drop-In Office Hours will continue to be offered during the spring 2026 semester.

Save the Date!

Giving Day is Virginia Tech’s 24-hour opportunity to invest in access, inclusion, and opportunity for all students. From Feb. 18–19, noon to noon EST, Hokies can support the programs and services that help ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.

AIM News and Reminders

Visit the AIM Instructor Hub

The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Newsletter is distributed monthly to students and faculty. This newsletter serves as a communication tool for our office to share important resources and updates. Please note that the newsletter does not include an option to unsubscribe, as we consider it an essential means of communication. If you have any questions regarding the newsletter, feel free to contact us at ssd@vt.edu or reach out to Mya Hooks (myah3@vt.edu), Assistant Director overseeing outreach for the SSD office.