Washington, DC (November 11, 2025) – The National Organization on Disability (NOD) – a nonprofit organization partnering with America’s top employers to advance disability inclusion in the workplace – has been selected to play a key leadership role in the five-year, $4.6 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Disability Employment Policy, led by Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute (BBI).
Under this initiative, NOD will focus on employer engagement and artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring, examining how these technologies impact equitable opportunities for job seekers with disabilities. Specifically, the organization will:
- Lead outreach to employers to encourage participation in research and provide feedback,
- Translate academic research into actionable guidance, training, and policy recommendations for employers, and
- Disseminate findings to the employer community and business owners with disabilities.
“At the National Organization on Disability, we’re proud to bring the employer’s perspective to this important national research initiative,” said Beth Sirull, NOD President and CEO, who will serve as Principal Investigator for NOD’s portion of the project. “As artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations hire and manage talent, it’s critical that disability inclusion remains at the center of innovation.”
The grant, administered by HHS’ National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, supports research, education, and training aimed at advancing disability employment policies nationwide. NOD joins BBI and a network of leading universities and organizations, including Rutgers, Harvard, Cornell, Mathematica, and disability-led groups such as Independent Living Research Utilization, Mental Health America, and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, in this ambitious effort to shape the next generation of disability employment policy and practice.
Read coverage from Syracuse University here.
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About the National Organization on Disability (NOD)
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is committed to increasing employment opportunities and fostering inclusive work environments for the millions of Americans with disabilities. NOD offers a suite of employment solutions tailored to anticipate and meet leading companies’ workforce needs and has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs.
For more information about NOD, visit www.nod.org.