Burton Blatt Institute

10/09/2026

Exciting news! The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University has been awarded two national grants totaling $4.5 million over three years to advance disability research, employment opportunities and ADA education.

The funding will support:
• Training four postdoctoral fellows to study disability employment policy, practice and law, including the role of artificial intelligence.
• Continuing the Southeast ADA Center’s information, training and guidance across eight states.

Together, these initiatives strengthen BBI’s work to advance the civic, economic and social participation of people with disabilities.

Read more: https://bbi.syr.edu/2026/10/bbi-two-grants/

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) has been awarded two competitive grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Together, the awards total $4. 5 million over three years and will bring a sig...

06/24/2026

Peter Blanck met with USC Professor Elyn Saks and Rayshell Chambers, CEO of Painted Brain
What does it mean to live a full and meaningful life while managing serious mental illness? In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Elyn Saks shares her experience living with schizophrenia and challenges the myths and stigma that too often surround mental health conditions. Her message is one of hope, dignity, and the importance of compassion and support. Watch the video here: https://bbi.syr.edu/2026/06/peter-elyn-pads/

06/09/2026

What drives disability employment outcomes across different communities? And what can policymakers do to create more all encompassing opportunities?

On the latest episode of Let's Get to Work!, Dr. Purvi Sevak, Senior Director at Mathematica, joins Peter Blanck to discuss her path into disability employment policy research and the factors shaping employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Their conversation explores:
✅ The importance of education and support systems
✅ The role of Social Security and vocational rehabilitation
✅ How transportation and broadband access affect employment outcomes
✅ Why all encompassing employment policies benefit everyone

Tune in for an insightful discussion on evidence-based strategies that can help expand opportunity and strengthen your workforce.

🎧 Listen now: https://bbi-dep-rrtc.org/resources/podcast-series/lgtw-purvi-peter-25/

05/15/2026

Excited to be a part of this collaboration

Announcing Project PINE: Promoting Inclusion in Natural Environments
We are pleased to announce that the Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University will partner to conduct a comprehensive accessibility assessment at the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek, Georgia. Learn More about this exciting collaboration https://bbi.syr.edu/2026/05/announcing-project-pine-promoting-inclusion-in-natural-environments/. and

05/07/2026

You do not want to miss this episode of ADALive - details below

One of most exciting ADALive episodes just dropped and you do not want to miss it! Episode 153: Disability Studies and Ethics as a Path to Equality and Justice https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-153/

04/21/2026

Peter Blanck, University Professor and Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, moderated the panel Practical and Conceptual Tensions in Accessibility and Accommodation at the The Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Design: Global Legacy and Potential in Higher Ed. symposium sponsored by Syracuse University College of Law
The forum was held at Dineen Hall on April 10 and explored the global impacts of the ADA and universal design influences on higher education, and how disability rights frameworks are creating increasingly inclusive campuses around the world.

04/09/2026

It's not too late to Register! The College of Law will host “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Design: Global Legacy and Potential in Higher Ed” on Friday, April 10, in Dineen Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn More

Participants will discuss, analyze and share strategies across diverse learning environments; registration is now open.

04/08/2026

THIS FRIDAY! College of Law to Host Symposium on Americans with Disabilities Act, Universal Design
Participants will discuss, analyze and share strategies across diverse learning environments; registration is now open.

Participants will discuss, analyze and share strategies across diverse learning environments; registration is now open.

01/12/2026

Supporting Disability Rights in Competing-Interest Scenarios: Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Law from China
The Moynihan Institute’s East Asia Program presents Mercy Renci Xie from Syracuse University’s College of Law. https://bbi.syr.edu/2026/01/east-asia-program-moynihan-graduate-student-grantee-talk-mercy-renci-xie/