News & Events

  • CAPE-Youth’s Youth Fellowship Applications are LIVE!

    The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth) is looking for youth and young adults with disabilities aged 16-21 to participate as youth fellows in our National Working Group on Youth Transition. If selected as a youth fellow, you will learn and develop professional skills to influence disability policy through:

    • Meeting directly with state leaders;
    • Traveling to education and workforce conferences;
    • Informing written policy products on disability and transition; and
    • Making a change.

    To apply for the fellowship, click here.

    The deadline to apply is March 18 at 10 p.m. ET. Please share this opportunity with others you believe may be interested.

    **If you have any additional questions or need accommodations to complete this application, please reach out to kosmani@cornell.edu.

    CAPE-Youth is a federally-funded research and technical assistance center that helps states develop services, laws and programs that improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. CAPE-Youth prioritizes youth voice when doing this work. It is imperative to have youth at the table as leaders, sharing their experiences and interacting directly with policymakers during these discussions.

    CAPE-Youth's National Working Group consists of approximately 40 policymakers and practitioners and eight to 10 youth fellows. If selected as a youth fellow, you will attend working group convenings to discuss ideas for addressing issues that youth with disabilities face in their communities and professionally engage with state leaders to improve the transition from high school to employment or postsecondary education.

    Travel expenses for participation in the National Working Group are covered by CAPE-Youth. In some instances, fellows will also be provided a stipend for their engagement with and representation of CAPE-Youth for events outside of the working group.


  • Free Webinar - Is Accommodation Forever?

    Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    Much focus is given to exploring and implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, but it is equally important to continue to monitor accommodations to insure they remain effective over time. This session will explore best practices for the employment service professional to consider in their work with employers and supported employees when monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of workplace accommodations.

    Register here


  • Webinar - The Americans with Disabilities Act and Spanish Speaking Communities

    English: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 2-3:30 p.m. ET

    Don’t miss the “Americans with Disabilities Act and Spanish Speaking Communities” webinar! This webinar incorporates the perspectives and priorities of the Spanish-speaking audience and aims to inform the Spanish-speaking community about their rights and the ADA.

    It will be presented in English on March 12th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CT and in Spanish on March 14th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM CT. The registration deadline for the English presentation is March 11th. The registration deadline for the Spanish presentation is March 13th.

    Register for the English webinar

    Register for the Spanish webinar


  • Free Webinar - When the Employer Requests Documentation of Disability: Key Considerations for the Employment Service Professional

    Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    The ADA states that employers may request medical documentation as verification of disability, as long as it is “job related and consistent with business necessity.” What exactly does this mean? What are the guidelines for these requests? Who can provide this information and what should it say?

    Register here


  • Northeast ADA Center Resource - The Small Business at Work Toolkit

    Do you know? The Northeast ADA Center has a toolkit for small businesses that discusses the how (and why!) small businesses can successfully hire and retain employees with disabilities. You’ll find easy-to-understand, practical advice, along with expert guidance on following Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Visit the Small Business Toolkit to explore it.


  • Free Webinar - When the Employer Requests Documentation of Disability: Key Considerations for the Employment Service Professional

    Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA Center

    The ADA states that employers may request medical documentation as verification of disability, as long as it is “job related and consistent with business necessity.” What exactly does this mean? What are the guidelines for these requests? Who can provide this information and what should it say?

    Register here


  • Webinar - New England ADA Center: Employment (Title I) offered as part of the ADA Coordinator Training Series

    Thursday, February 8, 2024, 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET

    Per the ADA people with disabilities have the right to participate in all programs, services, and activities, including employment. Employees and applicants with disabilities have the right to participate in all aspects of employment (applying, training, the job, insurance, and wellness programs). During this training, participants will learn about the 3 stages of employment and the disability-related questions that can and cannot be asked during each stage.

    This training is offered as a part of the ADA Coalition of Connecticut’s ADA Coordinator certification series for CT ADA Coordinators. Credits can be applied toward the national certificate.

    Cost: $25

    Register here

    Webinar - New England ADA Center: ADA for State and Local Government (Title II)

    Friday, February 9, 2024, 9-10 a.m. ET

    Per the ADA people with disabilities have the right to participate in all programs, services, and activities, but sometimes people with disabilities need support or a change in the way a program typically operates to participate. We will discuss a municipality's responsibility to provide reasonable modification of policy (e.g., curbside delivery) and auxiliary aids and services (e.g., sign language interpreters) so that people with disabilities can participate in all programs and services.

    This training is offered as a part of the ADA Coalition of Connecticut’s ADA Coordinator certification series for CT ADA Coordinators. Credits can be applied toward the national certificate.

    Cost: $25

    Register here


  • Northeast ADA Center Closed January 15

    The Northeast ADA Center and technical assistance services will be closed on Monday, January 15. The center will open again on January 16. Please note that our normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.


  • Free Webinar - The Year 2023 in Review

    Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET

    Presenters: Chris Sweet, Technical Assistant and Outreach Specialist Northeast ADA Center, Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA Center

    Join us for our Annual Year in Review Webinar! Christopher Sweet and Joe Zesski of the Northeast ADA Center will look back to notable developments related to the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Northeast ADA Center in 2023. They will share updates on ADA enforcement activities by different federal agencies, new technical assistance materials, and other federal efforts. Chris and Joe will also share what's new at the Northeast ADA and look ahead to some new resources coming in 2024.

    Register here


  • Season's Greetings from the Northeast ADA Center!

    From all of us at the Northeast ADA Center at YTI, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Visit our YTI holiday ecard!

    Please note that our Cornell offices will be closed from 4:30pm ET Friday, December 22, 2023, until 8:30am ET Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The Cornell based Northeast ADA Center staff will be unavailable; however, our Technical Assistance email (northeastada@cornell.edu) will operate and be staffed on a limited basis during this time.


  • Intersection of Territory Law and the ADA in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

    August 20, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Mildred Gomez Torres and Nellyber Correa Rivera - MAVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Archie Jennings - DRCVI (Northeast ADA affiliate), Joe Zesski - Northeast ADA

    The Americans with Disabilities Act sets a minimal standard for providing equal access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. States and territories in the US, however, have their own laws which can provide greater or additional protections to the rights of people with disabilities. In this webinar, learn about specific laws in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands address the disability community and how they intersect with the ADA.

    Register here

    Presented By: Mildred Gomez Torres & Archie Jennings

  • Engaging Kids About Disability Through Animated Cartoons

    July 16, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenters: Peter Quinn, Multimedia Editor Yang Tan Institute, Joe Zesski, Program Manager Northeast ADA

    The Northeast ADA Center has been producing and testing a unique animated school cartoon series intended for elementary-aged children that is designed to educate the next generation about disability inclusion. The videos, along with a companion curriculum, is intended to assist parents and educators to engage children in conversations and in learning about people with disabilities and the ADA. The webinar will address the development, challenges, and testing of the cartoons and curriculum. It will share how the cartoons are made and give participants tips on how they can access and use this valuable resource.

    Register here

    Presented By: Peter Quinn & Joe Zesski

  • Title III of the ADA and Readily Achievable Barrier Removal

    May 21, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenter: Jennifer Perry, Access Specialist, Northeast ADA

    Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation to remove barriers to accessibility that are deemed “readily achievable”.  The term "places of public accommodation" includes businesses that are generally open to the public and that fall into one of 12 categories listed in the ADA, such as restaurants, movie theaters, schools, day care facilities, recreation facilities, and doctors' offices .Having an awareness of barriers to accessibility, taking steps to determine how they can be overcome, developing a plan to address those improvements (including a time-frame for improvements), and finally implementing those improvements if they are readily achievable, is critical for Title III entities. Join us on May 21, 2024 as we provide an overview of the ADA Title III readily achievable barrier removal regulations.

    Register here

    Presented By: Jennifer Perry

  • Is an Accommodation Forever?

    March 19, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm EST

    Presenter: Jeffrey Tamburo, Training and Content Development Specialist, Northeast ADA

    Much focus is given to exploring and implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, but it is equally important to continue to monitor accommodations to insure they remain effective over time. This session will explore best practices for the employment service professional to consider in their work with employers and supported employees when monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of workplace accommodations.

    Register here

    Presented By: Jeffrey Tamburo