Yang-Tan Institute

Amid funding cuts and public health battles, NIH issues autism research grants Cornell University will receive $5.1 million as the Trump administration seeks to find a source and cure for autism.

Cornell University will receive $5.1 million as the Trump administration seeks to find a source and cure for autism.
www.npr.org/2025/10/06/n...

The poster is rectangular in shape with a dark blue background and an array of red, white and blue graphical fireworks of different sizes. Five of these fireworks frame photos of people with different disabilities working in various environments. Below the images, the words “Celebrating Value and Talent, National Disability Employment Awareness Month” appear. Across the bottom are a logo that says, “America 250,” the DOL seal followed by the words “Office of Disability Employment Policy, United States Department of Labor,” and the hashtag #NDEAM on top of the words “80th Anniversary” and the website address dol.gov/odep.

October 1st means - Happy NDEAM everyone!
The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2025 is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Learn more! www.dol.gov/agencies/ode...
#NDEAM

Tiny explosions, soft materials make onscreen braille more robust | Cornell Chronicle By combining the design principles and materials of soft robotics with microscale combustions, researchers created a high-resolution electronic tactile display that can operate in messy, unpredictable...

"Cornell researchers have now created a high-resolution electronic tactile display that is more robust than other haptic braille systems and can operate in messy, unpredictable environments."
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

Join YTI & The Arc Madison Cortland on 11/19 for Building Pathways to Collaborative Partnerships to Support Successful Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
Register: events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11319/regi...

Image of website. ILR Home. Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, YTI Newsletter- September 2025. Highlights, Upcoming Events, Subscribe.

🚨 Don't Miss Out! Check out our September Newsletter and Subscribe Today!
Get the latest information on disability-related research, policy, events, consultation and more sent straight to your inbox! 📩
Read & Subscribe Today!
www.ilr.cornell.edu/yti/yti-news...

For People With Mental Illness, the Path to Disability Benefits Can Be Long and Difficult - Public Health Watch A shortage of mental-health providers and other barriers to proving a disabling condition can make qualifying for benefits especially challenging. Federal funding cuts could worsen the picture.

Our own Debora Wagner contributed to this article, offering insight on the real challenges people face when navigating the disability benefits system.

click the link below to view the article via @pubhealthwatch.bsky.social

publichealthwatch.org/2025/09/22/m...

Ray Cebula presenting at front of room with people in audience.

Debora Wagner speaking in front of slides projected behind her on a screen with the audience in front of her.

Ray Cebula and Debora Wagner from our WISC team presenting at the NENA (National Employment Network Association) Conference in Las Vegas, NV ⭐ #NENA2025

YTI and University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ) staff in conference room with photo of someone joining by zoom in the background on a monitor

Today, we had the pleasure of meeting with Annie Gomes Redig and visiting team members Maria and Bruna from the University of Rio de Janeiro State (UERJ) to discuss transition services in Brazil. 🌎🤝 #Education

Jennifer holding a microphone, while standing in front of presentation being projected on large screen.

Roxanne at front of room presenting in front of slides projected on screen behind her.

Roxanne smiling, and presenting in front of slides projected on screen behind her.

Jennifer smiling, holding a microphone and standing in front of slides projected on screen behind her.

Leveraging Tax Credits to Include Workers and Customers with Disabilities was a resounding success!
Roxanne Griffith and Jennifer Pawlewicz presenting for the EARN - Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability project at the America's SBDC Future of Work conference #2025SBDC

Roxanne and Jennifer hosting the EARN table at the SBDC conference.

Attending the America's SBDC Future of Work conference? Be sure to stop by the EARN - Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability table! We’d love to connect, chat, and show you what we’ve been working on. See you there!
#2025SBDC

Roxanne Griffith presenting in front of projected screen.

Jennifer Pawlewicz presenting Key Takeaways on screen that is projected behind her.

Roxanne Griffith and Jennifer Pawlewicz presenting "Accessible Business Advising" for the EARN - Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability project at the Americas Sbdc Future of Work conference #2025SBDC

2025 New York State DREAM (Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month) Symposium. October 28 & 29, Albany, NY The symposium will feature: Job fair for people with disabilities Vendor fair Assistive technology demonstration Job preparation assistance: - Mock interviews - Virtual career centers - Resume workshop - Benefits planning Breakout sessions and more! This event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. ASL and CART will be provided at all workshops and presentations. Additional accommodations can be requested upon registration. NYS Seal - Office of the Chief Disability Officer. The DREAM Symposium is sponsored by the NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer (CDO); The NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD); The NYS Department of Labor (DOL); The NYS office of Mental Health (OMH); The NYS Department of Civil Service (DCS); The NYS Education Department (SED/ACCES-VR); The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS/CFB); The NYS Office of General Services (OGS); The NYS Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB); The NYS Division of Human Rights (DHR); The NYS Office of Employee Relations (OER); The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD); The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Yang-Tan Institute at Cornell University.

Register now for the 2025 New York State
DREAM (Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month) Symposium!
October 28 & 29, Albany, NY
To Register: events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/11209/regi...

YTI Asks, ‘Can Career Coaching Be Transformative?’
www.ilr.cornell.edu/yti/news/yti...

Kim and Val smiling in front of podium

Richard presenting to room full of people at tables.

Group of 6 presenters smiling in front of stage.

Participants sitting at table- one holding microphone giving feedback to presenter.

YTI would like to highlight the success of our partners in the Oregon Inclusive Career Advancement Program (ICAP)! YTI's Kimberly Osmani and Valerie Malzer recently had the pleasure of presenting and facilitating a day-long statewide event at Clackamas Community College.

Disability in the Workplace: A Just-in-Time Course for Leaders This course prepares managers to support employees around disability disclosure, reasonable accommodation and performance management. Building on Cornell’s innovative ‘Just-in-Time Toolkit for Manager...

To Register:
www.ilr.cornell.edu/programs/pro...

YouTube video by yticornell Registration Open for Disability in the Workplace Course for Leaders:

Disability in the Workplace: A Just-in-Time Course for Leaders! This two-day in-person course in October prepares managers to support employees around disability disclosure, reasonable accommodation and performance management. Space is limited, so sign up today! www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhX_...

YouTube video by yticornell Disability in the Workplace Course for Leaders: Coming October 2025

Disability in the Workplace: A Just-in-Time Course for Leaders! This 2-day in-person course prepares managers to support employees around disability disclosure, reasonable accommodation performance management.

Register: www.ilr.cornell.edu/programs/pro...
To view:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHIE...

Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar with The Harkin Institute yesterday! The webinar provided a hands-on overview of how to utilize DisabilityStatistics.org in your work. For those who couldn't join us, you can watch the full recording now: youtu.be/DNXLtj_0ArY
#DisabilityStatistics

Woman wearing headset, sitting at desk, working on laptop. Compliance with disability rights laws will help you get and keep the talent you need. Compliance with disability employment laws is just the beginning. Join peers and experts to explore how inclusive practices can unlock new talent pipelines, improve retention, and enhance your brand. Disability in The Workplace A Just-in-Time Course for Leaders October 14-15, 2025, New York City SPECIAL EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH 8/1 Led by national disability inclusion experts, the course features interactive activities, small group workshops, and actionable guidance you can apply immediately. Interactive, Hands-On Learning Through small-group workshops and interactive exercises, managers will build a personal playbook to guide them in real workplace scenarios. Limited Space Available-Enroll Today! For additional information, please contact disabilitytoolkit@cornell.edu. Scan here to sign up - QR code. Cornell University ILR School logo and K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability logo.

Support your team with confidence! Join our in-person course for managers on disability disclosure, accommodations & performance. Based on Cornell’s Just-in-Time Toolkit. Early bird registration now open!
www.ilr.cornell.edu/programs/pro...

A Woman writing in a notebook with statistics on screen in front of her. Digging into Disability Data: Making DisabilityStatistics.org work for you. Wednesday, July 30th, 12pm CT. The Harkin Institute logo and the Yang-Tan Institute logo.

Want to harness the power of disability data in your work? Join us 7/30 for a webinar in collaboration with the Harkin Institute! We'll explore DisabilityStatistics.org and show you how to apply it in real-world scenarios. Register now! harkininstitute.drake.edu/2025/07/14/d...
#DisabilityData

8 YTI employees outside Dolgen Hall, getting ready to take a walk together.

YTI colleagues enjoyed a 1.3 mile walk together around the beautiful Beebe Lake in the heart of the Cornell University Campus! #Cornell #Summer

A Woman writing in a notebook with statistics on screen in front of her. Digging into Disability Data: Making DisabilityStatistics.org work for you. Wednesday, July 30th, 12pm CT. The Harkin Institute logo and the Yang-Tan Institute logo.

Want to harness the power of disability data in your work? Join us 7/30 for a webinar in collaboration with theHarkin Institute! We'll explore DisabilityStatistics.org and show you how to apply it in real-world scenarios. Register now! harkininstitute.drake.edu/2025/07/14/d...
#DisabilityData

EARN (Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability) table with many giveaways at expo.

Come visit the EARN - Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability team at Booth 74 at the Disability:IN Global Conference and Expo!

Disability in the Workplace: A Just-in-Time Course for Leaders This course prepares managers to support employees around disability disclosure, reasonable accommodation and performance management. Building on Cornell’s innovative ‘Just-in-Time Toolkit for Manager...

Compliance with disability rights laws never goes out of style! Join us for this in-person course that prepares managers to support employees around disability disclosure, reasonable accommodation, and performance management. Set your employees up for success!
www.ilr.cornell.edu/programs/pro...

Swimming pool with lift at pool's edge. Swimming Pool Lifts Must Be Available Whenever the Pool is Open Practically speaking, this means lifts must be fixed in place. This ensures availability to anyone inside or outside the pool. A lift provides an accessible way out, and not having one available can create a dangerous situation. Contact the Northeast ADA for more information at 800.949.4232.

Swimming Pool Lifts Must Be Available Whenever the Pool is Open!
For more information contact us at the Northeast ADA Center with your ADA related questions! Call 800-949-4232.

Yang-Tan Institute Staff with KODDI Staff on the Cornell University Campus.

The Yang-Tan Institute welcomed representatives from Korea’s Disabled People’s Development Institute (KODDI) following their participation in meetings at the United Nations in New York City.

Susanne Bruyere speaking at microphone while a panel of individuals look on.

“when we work together, the journey is better.”

YTI Conference Highlights Efforts to Improve Employment Access for People with Disabilities

www.ilr.cornell.edu/yti/news/wor...

Ellice and an ASL interpreter at podium with presentation projected on large screen

Ellice and an ASL interpreter at podium with presentation projected on large screen

Large room full of people and tables with Ellice and an ASL interpreter at podium with presentation projected on large screen

Our Working Together: Advancing Disability Inclusion in NYS Workplaces Event has kicked off!

Natalie, Sabrina and Kim.

Adene standing in front of a sign.

Natalie looking on as Sabrina presents at podium.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Adene Karhan & Kim Osmani, of YTI recently participated in the VRTAC-QE National Symposium on Quality Employment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, representing CAPE-Youth.
YTI’s partners from Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, Sabrina Cunliffe & Natalie Doerfler also presented. #VRTACQE

Woman standing in front of a conference room. What is a disability? June 10, 2025, Register Today!

What is a Disability? Understanding what disability means under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be tricky. Find out more by attending this insightful webinar from the @northeastada.adata.org on June 10th at 1pm ET.
To Register: events.yangtaninstitute.org/e/10861/regi...