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A stroke participant performing rehabilitative hand exercises while sitting in front of a computer screen that shares a gaming element to make the exercises more interactive.

Moving Forward to Make a Difference

Kessler Foundation envisions a world where people with disabilities can achieve the greatest possible independence, pursue integrated, competitive employment, and live with dignity within our communities.

With the support of our generous donors, we drive positive change for adults and children with disabilities through groundbreaking rehabilitation research to improve daily functioning, disability employment research, and innovative employment grantmaking to create genuine economic opportunities for people with disabilities.

Learn how your support champions life-changing rehabilitation research and employment, helping people with disabilities maximize recovery, independence, and inclusion.

Learn more about the work we do.

Rehabilitation Research Employment-Disability Research Employment-Focused Grantmaking How Your Support Helps

2025 winter brainstorm logo

Finding Purpose and Not Giving Up After Brain Injury with Craig J. Phillips, Rehabilitation Counselor

Register for our free Winter Brainstorm Virtual Speaker Series to hear from Craig J. Phillips, rehabilitation counselor, motivational speaker, author, and advocate. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 1967 at 10 years old, Craig transformed his challenges into a powerful message of hope and healing. Through a holistic approach, he shares insights in articles, videos, keynote presentations, and more. He also founded Second Chance to Live, a website dedicated to empowering individuals with TBI and fostering community support. Tune in on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET via Zoom.

The Winter Brainstorm Speaker Event is sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System and Kessler Foundation.
Register Here
Image of Siemens 3 MRI scanner

Revolutionizing Research: Unveiling State-of-the-Art MRI Upgrade for Enhanced Rehabilitation Studies

The Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center has enhanced its Siemens 3 MRI scanner with cutting-edge hardware and software, providing the most advanced technology in MRI imaging. The renovation accelerates data collection, enhances image resolution, and applies built-in artificial intelligence algorithms. This upgrade will advance the Center's rehabilitation research in the areas of traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and more. 

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Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center
nTIDE Month-to-Month Comparison of Labor Market Indicators for People with and without Disabilities

nTIDE February 2025 Jobs Report: Labor Force Participation Rate for People with Disabilities Hits an All-Time High

National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) – Issued semi-monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire 

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Image of Kessler Foundation logo with a orange banner below. Black text reads: 2024 National Employment & Disability Survey: Hospitality Industry. To the right are three icons of people, one in a wheelchair.

New 2024 Supervisor Survey Highlights Key Strategies for Hiring and Supporting Workers with Disabilities

The latest Kessler Foundation survey of supervisors in the hospitality industry has revealed critical insights into the recruitment, support, and accommodation of workers with disabilities. The findings offer actionable takeaways for employers looking to diversify their workforce and enhance workplace inclusion.

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Collage of 4 images. From left to right, image of a blind woman reading braille, imagine of a man with Down syndrome working, imagine of a veteran in a wheelchair, imagine of a woman using ASL on her computer

White Paper Provides Essential Insights for Disability Workforce Success

Explore the critical success factors and challenges identified in 21 programs funded by Kessler Foundation grants that provide a roadmap for future employment initiatives for people with disabilities.

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Your Generosity Gives Life to Our Work.

Because of you, our pioneering research and grantmaking are changing the landscape of what is possible. All this brings new hope to individuals living with disabilities, their families, and our communities. To learn more about all you make possible, please read our 2024 Impact Report.

2024 Impact Report
Collage of 4 graphics: person in an MRI machine, a female clinician helping a man across the table with stroke-induced reading challenges, a dog sitting on a couch, and a man wearing glasses viewing himself in a mirror while practicing reading after stroke.

Latest Insights on Stroke and Spatial Neglect Research

Understanding the connection between stroke and cognitive impairment – including spatial attention, language, and self-awareness – is the focal point of the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research. Ongoing studies explore the use of cutting-edge extended reality technology, eye tracking technology, MRI brain imaging, and neurofeedback.

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Suzanne cliff (first row, right) with her "chosen" family, Dr. Karen J. Nolan (back row, center) and the robotic exoskeleton research team.

Help Mothers like Suzanne Cliff Striving to Recover

You can ensure that people like Suzanne, who are striving to live as independently as possible after stroke, enjoy life with those they love most, and receive the innovative treatments they need.

Kessler Foundation News

Keep up-to-date with the latest information from the Kessler Foundation

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Man wearing test equipment around his torso walks on C-Mill virtual reality treadmill while female clinician stands beside him pointing to VR image.

Join a Research Study Today

Join a Research Study Form

Please answer the questions below and provide your contact information. If you haven`t done research studies with us before, you`ll have the option to create a profile in our secure database, or we can assist you over the phone. 

Once you submit this form, someone from our recruitment team will contact you about research opportunities.

Join A Research Study Today

Please answer the questions below and provide your contact information.

Don't want to wait? You can create your own profile in our database.

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Join a Research Study

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