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YTI Works for New York

Overview

In 2025 – and looking ahead – a focus of YTI’s work with the state is to support the goals of New York State Executive Order 31 and Executive Order 40. These orders establish New York as a model employer of people with disabilities and call for the state to pursue employment-first policies and practices. 

In collaboration with multiple partners statewide, including the New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer, YTI is conducting research and offering educational activities to improve opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities to obtain competitive integrated employment. YTI shares the results of this work with policymakers, state agencies, community-based organizations, workforce and economic development personnel, and disability service providers.

YTI also serves New York through a variety of projects, including the Northeast ADA Center, New York State Consortium for Advancing and Supporting Employment, and Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment, as well as the Technical Assistance Partnership for Data and Technical Assistance Partnership for Transition.

Why This Work Matters

The Yang-Tan Institute is dedicated to achieving increased competitive integrated employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities. 

Additional Info

Current Objectives

Objective 1: To conduct research activities that will inform disability policy and related initiatives in the state of New York.

Objective 2: To expand the capacity of the New York State service system to provide opportunities for competitive integrated employment (CIE) by increasing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of actors within those systems via educational activities.

Objective 3: To support New York State priorities regarding Employment First policy initiatives, State as Model Employer actions, and compliance with obligations under federal statutes – such as the Olmstead Decision, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This support is provided through technical assistance, research, and education activities.

Published Briefs and Guides

Articles

Contact information

Ellice Switzer, Program Director, Inclusive Workplaces
Email: es656@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-2768

Funding agencies

New York State Department of Labor

Principal investigator

Ellice Switzer, Program Director, Inclusive Workplaces

Collaborating partners

New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer