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Research Assistant Olesya Iosipchuk is instructing a participant on how to use a leg exercise machine for a traumatic brain injury exercise study.

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.

Stroll n Roll Logo join the fun event

Join us for an AMAZING day!

Due to the forecast of heavy rains, winds, and flooding for this weekend, we’ve made the difficult decision to make our 2023 Stroll 'N Roll fully virtual to ensure the safety of staff and guests.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you virtually!

Join us for remarks at our Virtual Hall of Exhibitors

Photo of Pauline Schweinfurth Becker, approximately 100 years old. She has a pageboy gray haircut and is wearing yellow sunglasses and blue flowered shirt. June 27, 1921 – September 10, 2023

In Memoriam
Pauline Schweinfurth Becker

Sarasota, Florida

It is with heartfelt sympathy that Kessler Foundation shares the passing of our great friend and supporter Pauline Schweinfurth Becker. Originally from Roseland, NJ, she and her husband Gene relocated to Sarasota, FL, in 1982. Quietly, and always behind the scenes, Pauline generously provided financial support to numerous organizations, including Kessler Foundation.

Illustration of a human brain

‘My Invisible Injury’ with Kelsey Boyer of Nonprofit Save a Brain

Thursday, October 5, 2023, TIME: 12 pm – 1pm 

Tune into our Fall Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Virtual Speakers Series to hear Kelsey Boyer share her dramatic story of TBI and forming the nonprofit Save a Brain. Kelsey was a competitive snowboarder in high school with hopes of competing in the Olympics, but after sustaining a brain injury in 2016, her life drastically changed.

The Fall Brainstorm Speaker Event is sponsored by the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System and Kessler Foundation.

Man in a wheelchair with a green background and text message

Acknowledging Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

The ultimate goal of SCI research at Kessler Foundation is to develop ways for individuals with SCI to fully restore their pre-injury levels of function, activity, and quality of life. Learn more about our advanced research and educational support below.

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 nTIDE Month-to-Month Comparison of Labor Market Indicators for People with and without Disabilities

This graphic compares the labor market indicators for July 2023 and August 2023, showing increases in the labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities. Both indicators declined slightly for people without disabilities.

nTIDE August 2023 Jobs Report: Record-breaking Employment Trend Continues for People with Disabilities

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

 

East Hanover, NJ – September 1, 2023 – Labor Day weekend brings more good news for people with disabilities, with record-breaking highs for labor force participation and employment-to-population ratio, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – semi-monthly update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). In comparison, both indicators declined slightly for people without disabilities. 

Read More about nTide

Kessler logo rainbow colors background

You Accelerate Groundbreaking Research

Independence. Inclusivity. Innovation. Your generous support makes all this possible. And more. Read Our 2023 Impact Report to learn more about the research and inspiring stories donor support makes possible.

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The NonProfit Times as one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For logo

Kessler Foundation Ranks among 'Best Nonprofits to Work For' in the U.S.

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability rehabilitation, has placed among The NonProfit Times' "Best Nonprofits to Work For," a yearly award recognizing the top 50 nonprofits across the U.S. The awards program is designed to identify and honor the best employers in the nonprofit industry, benefiting the industry's economy, workforce, and businesses.

Read More

Man in wheelchair on the left and man with lab coat on the right

Join a Research Study Today

Join a Research Study Form

Volunteers are the heart of our research. Provide your information below to join our secure participant database. You will hear from our recruitment team about research study opportunities.

Volunteers Are the Heart of Our Research

Provide your information below to hear from our recruitment team about research studies for which you may be eligible.

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

Create Profile

Join a Research Study

t-shirts and sport bottles from Kessler Foundation

Abilities Are What Matter

New merch has hit our online store! At Kessler Foundation, we believe abilities—not disabilities—are what matter. Shop today and help maximize recovery, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities.