About Burton Blatt Institute (BBI)
Burton Blatt Institute video
The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), located at Syracuse University, will build the premier organization to advance civic, economic, and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society by creating a collaborative environment—with entrepreneurial innovation and best business practices—to foster public-private dialogue, and create the capacity to transform policy, systems, and people through inclusive education, the workforce, and communities.
BBI, takes its name from Burton Blatt (1927–85), a pioneer in humanizing services for people with mental retardation, a staunch advocate of deinstitutionalization, and a national leader in special education. Blatt was dean of the School of Education and Centennial Professor at Syracuse University, served as director of SU’s Division of Special Education and Rehabilitation, and founded the Center on Human Policy to promote a more open and accepting society for persons with disabilities.
- Vision:
- Build the premier organization to advance civic, economic, and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society.
- Mission:
- Create a collaborative environment—with entrepreneurial innovation and best business practices—to foster public-private dialogue. Create the capacity to transform policy, systems, and people through inclusive education, the workforce, and communities.
- Tools:
- A global network for research, education, training, technical assistance, and outreach.
- Structure:
- World-class interwoven centers focused on financial and technological innovation; employment and an inclusive workforce; disability, diversity, law, media, and arts, intended to:
- Build the next generation of leaders in law, education, communications, public policy, business, social science, architecture, and technology; and shape new knowledge for classrooms, workplaces, and communities to foster high expectations about the power and benefits of civic, economic, and social participation of individuals across the spectrum of disability.
- Funding:
- The Burton Blatt Institute will seek an endowment of $50 million or more to allow $2.5 million annually for operations and expansion of centers.
