The Burton Blatt Institute: Centers of Innovation at Syracuse University (BBI), Rehabilitation International (RI), Center for Research on Co laboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities (COTELCO), the Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network (GLADNET), The World Bank, and The International Labour Organization are conducting a multi-site, virtual dialogue titled Roadmap Out of Poverty: A Multi-Site Dialogue on Decent Work for People with Disabilities beginning on December 3, 2007 in conjunction with International Day of Disabled Persons that will run for eight months.
The primary objective of Roadmap out of Poverty virtual dialogue is to develop concrete, practical solutions in overcoming barriers to employment and economic empowerment that people with disabilities worldwide face, and to increase understanding and promote activities designed to help people with disabilities worldwide to get out of poverty. More specifically, the forum will address emerging strategies and recommendations for poverty reduction, asset-building advocacy, employment for people with disabilities, and strengthening alliances for inclusive economic development.
The Roadmap out of Poverty virtual dialogue will be simultaneously held in cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, Geneva, Panama, and Orissa, and will include approximately 40 researchers, disability authorities, practitioners on disability and employment-related issues, NGOs (non-government organizations), representatives from international organizations, and representatives from the United Nations and its member agencies.
RI is a global organization headquartered in New York City with person with disabilities, NGOs, government agencies, service providers, advocates who work together to advance the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide.
COTELCO is a social science research center located in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, and is an affiliate of the Burton Blatt Institute. COTELCO explores the socio-technical infrastructure required to support geographically distributed collaborations and intellectual capital, particularly between developed and developing countries.
The Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network (GLADNET) is a consortium of research centers, universities, enterprises, government departments, trade unions, and organizations of and for persons with disabilities working collectively in order to advance competitive employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries, and is comprised of two development institutions owned by 185 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The mission of both institutions is to reduce global poverty and to improve living standards of developing countries around the world. While IBRD focuses on middle income and credit-worthy poor countries, IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together, IBRD and IDA provide low-interest rate loans, interest-free credit cards, and grants to developing countries.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues. Founded upon the mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity and progress, ILO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for men and women to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. ILO’s mission and objectives are grouped into four areas: 1) promotion of standards and fundamental principles and rights at work; 2) encouragement of decent employment opportunities; 3) enhancement of social protection; and 4) strengthening social dialogue in handling work-related issues.
The Burton Blatt Institute: Centers of Innovation on Disability at Syracuse University was established to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities everywhere. BBI is named in honor of Burton Blatt, the nationally recognized leader in special education, a pioneer in humanizing services for people with mental retardation, a staunch advocate of deinstitutionalization, and a university administrator. The Burton Blatt Institute opened its doors on November 1, 2005, but the legacy on which the institute was founded has a long and proud history.