York Cardinals Shine at 2025 CUNY Neurodiversity Conference

York’s Cardinals were front and center at the 2025 CUNY Neurodiversity Conference at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Led by Charmaine Townsell, the students from the CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD) delivered a powerful and deeply personal presentation, showcasing the leadership, insight, and advocacy of York students.

During their presentation, the students used the phrase “The Math Ain’t Mathin” to express the real-life disconnect many neurodiverse and disabled students experience when faced with financial, academic, and social systems that don’t seem to add up. This popular student phrase resonated with attendees and served as a clear, authentic reminder that access to higher education is about building economic mobility for students and their families. York students made it clear that understanding and addressing these barriers is part of how they see education as the pathway to a better future.

Their presentation was titled “CCSD’s Roadmap to Strengthening Neurodiverse Communities at the City University of New York.” The session encouraged all CUNY students who identify as disabled to register with their campus disability services offices and take full advantage of available accommodations, especially with finals approaching. 

“We want our students to utilize the new CUNY software, Accommodate, for finals, and we want to send an overall message that the way to move forward on all levels socially and financially is through education, “ said Charmaine Townsell, Senior Director, York College Student Wellness and Resource.

The annual Neurodiversity Conference is one of several CUNY-wide initiatives affirming the University’s commitment to equity and access. York College continues to be a visible and engaged leader in this effort. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at York remains committed to supporting all students, disabled or not, in realizing their full academic and professional potential.

Whether on campus or at CUNY-wide events, our Cardinals continue to soar. Their voices are strong, their message is clear, and their future is full of promise. York is a place where your future takes flight!

Catch a glimpse of the conference and more on Instagram: York.CSD Instagram