Syracuse University has long been a leader in disability policy, rights and advocacy. For the past 20 years, the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) and its chairman, University Professor Peter Blanck, have been at the forefront of this work. A nationally recognized expert in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws, Blanck joined BBI at its founding in 2005. He is principal investigator on a recent $4.6 million grant from the U.S.

Original Story at: https://news.syr.edu/2025/11/21/focus-on-disability-rights-qa-with-bbis-peter-blanck/
Wendy S. Loughlin Nov. 21, 2025

Q: Describe the role of BBI at Syracuse University.
A: BBI is part of the University’s historical and extensive efforts to advance the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. We partner with schools, colleges and units across campus to promote disability rights through research, education, outreach and policy innovation.
Q: How does BBI support the development of policies to advance employment for people with disabilities?
A: Improving disability employment policy and outcomes for people with disabilities begins with BBI’s partnership with the disability community at the University and elsewhere. BBI seeks to contribute evidence-based research on disability employment policies that expand inclusive opportunities for all. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Employment Policy is the only one of its kind in the U.S. Through the center, we are identifying ways to strengthen disability employment policy by considering the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, self-employment and changing labor laws, among other innovations. We are seeking to inform disability employment policies that are directly relevant and useful to people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain meaningful employment across all sectors of the economy.
Q: How does BBI help inform policy related to employment and job training for people with disabilities?
A: One major opportunity in disability employment policy is supporting effective and meaningful employment and vocational resources and training to meet the real-world needs of people with disabilities. We hope to further this objective by using in-person and virtual training and resource models. We plan to develop relevant and useful “toolkits” for vocational counselors to distribute to their clients, helping them explore self-employment opportunities with the advancement of AI and the gig workforce. These innovations aim to provide individuals with the knowledge and confidence to build skills that support their career and life goals.
Q: How are BBI’s findings put into practice?
A: Foremost, our efforts must and do involve people with disabilities as equal partners. This commitment lies at the heart of BBI and ensures that our work is directly relevant and useful to the broader disability community. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Employment Policy will translate rigorous research into plain language and accessible formats—such as fact sheets, policy briefs, practitioner guides and webinars—for policymakers, educators, employers, community advocates and individuals with disabilities. All our activities focus on real-world and timely relevance to the disability community.
Q: What are your thoughts on the future of disability employment policy?
A: Younger Americans have grown up never knowing a world without the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, among other disability policy initiatives. These landmark efforts continue to positively influence workplaces, educational settings and public and private institutions. Almost every day, advances in technology, artificial intelligence and universally designed assistive devices create new possibilities to strengthen independence, inclusion and self-determination for all Americans with and without disabilities.