Jason P. Harris is joining the staff at the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University, as a Research Associate, working to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities around the globe.

In 2018, Jason earned an M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education and a Certificate of Advanced Disability Studies from Syracuse University. Jason was also one of the founders of the student organization On The Spectrum at Syracuse University.

Jason also has a B.A. from the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was introduced to disability advocacy in his class Disability, Culture and Equity that nurtured his passion for civil rights and to spread awareness and advocate for independence and inclusion to improve lives and empower people in the disability community.   Jason graduated with Honors in December 2013.

In 2013, Jason founded the non-profit organization Jason’s Connection. Jason’s Connection is an online community promoting inclusion, independence and equality of opportunity for individuals with disabilities, mental health, aging and diverse abilities and needs. It explores the cultural and social aspects of disability and shares ideas to change cultural perceptions of differences by featuring expressions of art and personal-experience blogs contributed by our online community, and one of the largest national, organic searchable directories for medical, housing, employment, and other resources. Additionally, it provides a personalized service to assist those with specific needs locate resources in their area.  The site operates concurrently with an active Facebook page, which currently has over a quarter of a million followers.  Since its inception, Jason’s Connection has grown to be one of largest, comprehensive, and diverse online presence that is run by a person with a disability.

Jason has actively participated in speaking engagements across the country including at ReelAbilities Film Festivals and continues to speak nationally to groups about hidden and invisible disabilities, and he works to build relationships with other national disability organizations.

About the Burton Blatt Institute
BBI reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities, with offices in Syracuse, NY, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. For more information about BBI, visit: https://bbi.syr.edu.