Kessler Foundation, Changing the lives of people with disabilities

Olga Boukrina, PhD, senior research scientist at the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, sits in the MRI control room in front of a computer monitor that shows a stroke participant's brain scan.

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

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.

Learn More

Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center

Graphic shows two sides of a brain, one is solid red with title of series, the other connecting lines and dots depicting brain synapses.

Recycling Pain: Pain to Purpose with Luke Bohnenberger, TBI Survivor

Register for our Fall Brainstorm virtual speaker series to hear from Luke Bohnenberger, traumatic brain injury (TBI) coach, public speaker, and advocate. After sustaining a TBI nearly a decade ago, Luke transformed his challenges into a powerful message of hope and healing. He created his own coaching package, “Vision to Victory,” to uplift individuals with TBI and the community.

Tune in on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET via Zoom.

Register Here

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

nTIDE year to year comparison for the month of November

nTIDE December 2024 Jobs Report: Employment for People with Disabilities Plateaus Near Record High

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

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.

Read Complete Survey and More

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.

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.

Learn More

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.

Make a Gift Today Learn More About Suzanne’s Story

Female test subject wearing a red t-shirt sits across the table from a female clinician in blue T-shirt holding a stopwatch with multicolored, differently shaped disks between them.

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.