Blog

Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated annually on December 3 around the world. The theme for this day in 2016 was Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want. Here at the Northeast ADA Center and at the Yang-Tan Institute, four of those goals resonated with us relative to our work.

Goal 1: No Poverty

The Northeast ADA Center and more broadly the Yang-Tan Institute at Cornell University’s ILR School works to help link talented individuals with disabilities with employers seeking that talent. This work aims to break through a web of poverty that exists due to social stigma, stereotypes, and lack of access to physical infrastructure. An example of our work that supports this goal is the Diversity Partners Project.

Goal 4: Quality Education

An example of how YTI supports quality education is its partnership with New York State to work on New York State PROMISE. PROMISE seeks to advance employment and post-secondary education outcomes for youth with disabilities ages of 14–16 who receive SSI and their families. Learn more about the New York State PROMISE Project.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

An example of suport for Goal 8 is the Yang-Tan Institute's work with the New York State Consortium for Advancement of Supported Employment (NYS CASE). YTI provides free professional development training and technical assistance to supported employment providers with a current contract with the New York State Education Department, Office of Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services - Vocational Rehabilitation. Learn more about the NYS Case Project.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The Northeast ADA Center works to educate the public, state and local governments, businesses, code officials, and design professionals about universal access and accessible design as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local codes. Through this work we seek to achieve effective barrier removal for individuals with disabilities on all levels. The Northeast ADA Center has many resources about accessible design.