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Impact Stories, News Articles, and Highlights

YTI Experts at DREAM in Albany

At New York state’s annual DREAM symposium, the Yang-Tan Institute (YTI) delivered over a dozen breakout sessions that reflected the broad expertise of the institute. The institute also assisted with developing and producing the event.
Yang-Tan Institute executive director Wendy Strobel Gower smiles while chatting with a DREAM attendee. Strobel Gower is professionally dressed in chunky jewelry, black dress and tan wrap; the attendee is wearing a blue scarf over a gray top and a backpack with a floral design.
YTI Experts at DREAM in Albany

What the Proposed Rule to End Subminimum Wage Means for Workers with Disabilities

On December 3rd, 2024, the United States Department of Labor proposed a new rule to end the 14c waiver program for people with disabilities. The Yang-Tan Institute's Ellice Switzer responds to a Q&A on the new proposed rule.
Photo of a hand selecting one person figure out of a line of figures, with a dollar sign over its head.
What the Proposed Rule to End Subminimum Wage Means for Workers with Disabilities

Employment of Justice-Impacted Youth with Disabilities

A new policy brief from the Yang-Tan Institute makes six recommendations for policy changes to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated young adults with disabilities in New York state.
An auto mechanic gives hands-on training to two students
Employment of Justice-Impacted Youth with Disabilities

Neurodiversity and Employment: Podcast Features Bruyère

Neurodiversity in the workplace is the topic of a Cornell Keynotes podcast episode with Susanne Bruyère from the Yang-Tan Institute.
Software developer wearing a headset to filter out unwanted noise
Neurodiversity and Employment: Podcast Features Bruyère

Counselors Benefit from Disability-Related Training

What do you get when you combine experts in the disability field at the Yang-Tan Institute with vocational rehabilitation counselors in New York state?
Student participating in a small-group online class
Counselors Benefit from Disability-Related Training

Bruyère Educates Saudi Officials on Disability Rights

Susanne Bruyère, a disability rights activist who has spent her career researching and advocating for policy change around inclusive hiring, recently assisted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote disability rights.
Susanne Bruyère give a presentation in Saudi Arabia.
Bruyère Educates Saudi Officials on Disability Rights

Predicting Success for Students with Autism

Researchers at the Yang-Tan Institute have identified “predictors of success” for high schoolers with autism. These experiences correlate with success in postsecondary education, employment and independent living.
A high school classroom with students sitting at their desks while listening to a lecture. A student in the center of the image has raised a hand and is smiling while waiting to be called on.
Predicting Success for Students with Autism

Matt Saleh Asks Questions, Spurs Impact

Matt is fascinated by the law and its relationship to disability and criminal justice. He is an energetic teacher and researcher in Cornell University’s ILR School, and he has taken on roles involving equity in employment.
Matt Saleh smiles thoughtfully while looking directly at the camera and sitting on a couch in front of a window.
Matt Saleh Asks Questions, Spurs Impact

Best Paper Award Won by Yang-Tan Researchers

Jennifer D. Brooks and Sarah von Schrader investigated how access to remote work for people with disabilities has been affected since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jennifer Brooks sits in her office while viewing the title page of her award-winning paper on her computer screen.
Best Paper Award Won by Yang-Tan Researchers

How Social Security Can Stop Penalizing Workers with Disabilities: Op-Ed

An op-ed in The Hill recommends improvements for how the Social Security Administration manages overpayments to workers with disabilities.
Jen Brooks, seated in her powerchair in the lobby of the Yang-Tan Institute, is smiling at the camera.
How Social Security Can Stop Penalizing Workers with Disabilities: Op-Ed

Wendy Strobel Gower Challenges Assumptions at Work

With a professional mission of challenging assumptions about limits around disability, Wendy Strobel Gower is the new Thomas P. Golden Executive Director of the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability.
Wendy Strobel Gower
Wendy Strobel Gower Challenges Assumptions at Work

New Disability Benefits at Work Website

A new free website explains work incentives that assist people who receive government disability benefits with moving ahead in their careers.
Three workers seated around a high-tech machine
New Disability Benefits at Work Website

Career Successes Inspire at YTI

After a decade of training supported employment specialists in New York, the Yang-Tan Institute shares some successes and looks to the future.
Instructor Jeffrey Tamburo wears a long sleeve light blue button up shirt with a necktie and blue sweater vest and stands in front of a podium while lecturing seated participants
Career Successes Inspire at YTI

ADA Anniversary a Reminder about Disability in the Workplace

The Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability shares tips related to the ADA, approaching its 33rd anniversary.
Three employees in the workplace stand together while viewing a laptop screen
ADA Anniversary a Reminder about Disability in the Workplace

ILR Professor Discusses Inclusive Hiring Practices for Neurodiverse Applicants

A recent profile by the American Psychological Association shares expert advice from Susanne Bruyère for recruiting and hiring people who are neurodiverse. It also discusses the importance of neurodiversity in the workplace.
Susanne Bruyère, wearing a purple blazer with several strands of white pearls and matching earrings
ILR Professor Discusses Inclusive Hiring Practices for Neurodiverse Applicants

Matthew Saleh Wins Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Award

Cornell Chronicle
Senior Research Associate at Yang-Tan Institute recognized for his work on career pathways for youth with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Matthew Saleh
Matthew Saleh Wins Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Award

Service Animals in Business

Business owners and employees can learn best practices for welcoming service animals into public places using resources from the Northeast ADA Center that are aimed at the concerns of small- and medium-sized businesses. These resources include a new website and a free webinar.
A dog licks its owner's face
Service Animals in Business

The Long-Lasting Impact of Thomas P. Golden

The impact that former Yang-Tan Institute Executive Director Thomas P. Golden made is felt every day in communities across the United States through the lives of his former students.
Collage of Thomas Golden photos
The Long-Lasting Impact of Thomas P. Golden

OPEN DOORS partnership assists with message against gun violence

OPEN DOORS gives voice to its members, allowing them to tell their embodied stories to spread awareness of how gun violence can impact lives.
Open Doors members and designs in a collage
OPEN DOORS partnership assists with message against gun violence

WIP-C™ credentialing program impacts thousands of lives

As a trained work incentive practitioner, Milton Johnson assists people with disabilities with managing benefits while returning to work and gaining financial independence
Milton Johnson sitting at a computer
WIP-C™ credentialing program impacts thousands of lives

ILR grad and legislator makes disability a priority

A disability-related class taught by YTI faculty inspired Josh Lafazan to make accessibility improvements on Long Island.
josh lafazan walking
ILR grad and legislator makes disability a priority