Dr. Fatma Altunkol Wise is a recent immigrant to the US. She is originally from Adana, Turkey, where she received her Ph.D. in Psychological Counseling and Guidance from Cukurova University.

She began her career as a guidance counselor in public schools in southeastern Turkey working with highly marginalized populations. She then worked as a lecturer and Research Associate at Gaziantep University, delivering courses on subjects such as Personality Theories, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation in Education and supervised undergraduate and graduate students. Continue Reading

Cora True-Frost, Associate Professor at Syracuse University College of Law, was featured on Channel 9 new, Localsyr.com. “World Cerebral Palsy Day is Sunday” and also on local radio station, WAER News “CNYers of All Abilities Encouraged to Get Outside as Syracuse Celebrates World Cerebral Palsy Day” Continue Reading

Peter Blanck, Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, was quoted on ADA and the internet in the OneZero October 10, 2019 article “A Case Against Domino’s Reveals a Slice of the Internet’s Accessibility Issues.” The pizza giant is matched against a blind customer advocating for a better digital world. Continue Reading

Today, far too many professionals with mental illness are forced to live “in the shadows.” This is often because they are, quite understandably, unwilling or afraid to disclose their conditions and challenges to coworkers and friends, for fear of losing their jobs and place in the community.

As a result, professionals with mental health challenges often lack a resource others take for granted: peer support.  Professionals in every field are taught to consult with their peers to discuss issues like work goals, client and coworker relations, and stress management. Continue Reading

Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) Chairman and University Professor Peter Blanck alongside fellow speaker, Progressive AE Executive Vice President and Universal Design Consultant, Mike Perry spoke at the 2019 SRAPPA Conference hosted by Northern Kentucky University on October 8, 2019, in Covington, KY, at the Northern Kentucky Conference Center. Blanck and Perry led a breakout session on Impacting Your University Mission with Universal Design. Their presentation featured the principles and methods that the Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC) has made regarding accessibility and inclusion through universal design followed by a Q&A session. Continue Reading

Diane R. Wiener, Research Professor and Associate Director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach at the Burton Blatt Institute, will be presenting on “(Dis)ability in Comics and Cosplay” as part of at Geek/Art CONfluence, a one-day CON celebrating the artistry in geek culture, organized by Chris Wildrick, Associate Professor of Studio Arts (School of Art, College of Visual and Performing Arts).  The event, which is free and open to the public, features two faculty/professional panels, a student panel, and a variety of other geek-friendly components (information below). Continue Reading

The Disability External Review Committee chose HirePotential, a consulting firm that focuses on disability inclusion and compliance, to conduct the review.

By Emma Folts, Gillian Follett
Source: THE DAILY ORANGE

An external consulting firm conducting a disabilities service review hired by Syracuse University is expected to deliver its final report before the end of the fall semester.  SU announced the formation of the Disability External Review Committee in April 2018. The committee is comprised of students, faculty and staff. Joanna Masingila, dean of the School of Education, and Michael Schwartz, associate professor in the College of Law, serve as co-chairs. Several updates regarding the external review have been provided to the campus community since the announcement. Continue Reading

Source: SUNews ” Rachael Zubal-Ruggieri: Power for the Greater Good”
Original Date: Monday, September 23, 2019, By Eileen Korey

Rachael Zubal-Ruggieri describes herself as a quiet, timid person. More of an observer and supporter than a do-er. Yet, her favorite superhero is Batman. And she’s passionate about the X-Men. This seeming dichotomy is the driving force behind her extraordinary work spanning more than three decades at Syracuse University, to support its academic reputation in the field of disability studies and advocate for her own child and for those with disabilities. Continue Reading

On September 19-21, the College of Law looks forward to welcoming more than 200 alumni back to their alma mater. The Burton Blatt Institute will join this event and keep its doors open during event tours on Thursday and Friday. A table will be set up in the hall with information, handouts and staff to meet and greet guests as well as provide a power point presentation highlighting some of BBI’s projects. Continue Reading

This past May, Stephen Kuusisto, a University Professor and director of interdisciplinary programs and outreach at the BBI, traveled to Kazakhstan to give poetry workshops as part of an international disability and cultural diplomacy outreach program. Kuusisto has traveled all over the globe, creating opportunities for children with disabilities to demonstrate their talents through inclusive arts workshops, as well as participating in public readings and visits to universities, literary institutions and other venues. Continue Reading