September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC: “Suicide rates increased about 36% from 2000 to 2021. Suicide resulted in 48,183 deaths in 2021, which is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In 2021 about 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide and 1.7 million attempted suicide. “ (Source: cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html) Continue Reading
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Peter Blanck’s New Book – Advanced Introduction to U.S. Disability Law
Advanced Introduction to U.S. Disability Law provides a timely and accessible overview of disability law in the United States, focusing primarily on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ‘ADA’). Peter Blanck addresses the social and legislative history leading up to the development of the ADA; coverage and remedies under the ADA’s three main titles; some of the fundamental and recent cases informing the ADA’s interpretation; and current issues facing U.S. courts, law makers, and policy makers.Free Course: Foundations of Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities at Syracuse University
Are you interested in learning about entrepreneurship from a disability perspective? If so, the College of Professional Studies invites you to join Syracuse University’s free online program starting September 5, 2023. This 12-week course is designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to learn how to start a business.
Episode 119: Celebrate the ADA! Learn about ADA National Network and NIDILRR
Join our celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the ADA with our guest, Shelley Reeves, the ADA National Network Program Coordinator and Section 21 Program Coordinator for NIDILRR. On this episode we will learn more about NIDILLR’s mission, projects and programs that help each regional ADA Center in the ADA National Network serve and support diverse communities of people with disabilities and other ADA stakeholders throughout the United States.
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New ADA Live podcast! Episode 118: Learn about Aphasia
Aphasia is a communication disability that affects our ability to understand written and spoken language. Aphasia can happen suddenly, often following a stroke or head injury or it may also develop slowly, as the result of a brain tumor or a progressive neurological disease. Aphasia does not affect a person’s ability to think or reason. Aphasia may co-occur with speech disorders, such as dysarthria or apraxia of speech, which also result from brain damage. (Source: nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia)
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New Disability Rights Today podcast! Episode 8: Perez v Sturgis Public Schools
On March 21, 2023, the United States Supreme Court in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools unanimously decided that individuals who have entered into a settlement resolving their claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), can also pursue claims for money damages against school districts under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) without exhausting the administrative process under IDEA. This decision reverses a decision made by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Continue Reading
New ADA Live podcast! Episode 117: ADA and Effective Communication in Health Care Settings with the Department of Justice
For people with hearing loss and deafness, communication barriers in health care result in the inability to understand critical health information. In the United States, about 1 in every 8 people of all ages has some form of hearing loss. Behind arthritis and heart disease, hearing loss is the third most common disability. (Source: HealthyHearing.com) Continue Reading
Michael Morris, BBI’s Senior Advisor, selected to be the recipient of the 2023 NARRTC Distinguished Service Award
NARRTC, formerly known as the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, selected Michael Morris to be the recipient of the 2023 NARRTC Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award is made to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of disability through research , teaching, service , or advocacy. It is the highest recognition conferred by NARRTC. Mr. Morris serves as Senior Advisor to the Burton Blatt Institute. Continue Reading
BBI Mourns the Passing of Senior Fellow, Friend, and Collaborator Larry Logue
It is with great sadness we bring the news of friend, collaborator, BBI Senior Fellow’s death. Larry Logue worked extensively with BBI chairman Peter Blanck writing numerous books and articles together. He was also a frequent quest speaker for the Southeast ADA Center focusing on the History of Veterans and Disability.
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Jonathan Martinis, BBI Senior Director for Law and Policy, quoted in historical Michigan guardianship case
In courts across the country, Martinis has successfully argued adults with disabilities don’t always need the extreme step of guardianship. He says they can use Supported Decision-Making instead. “My favorite question when it comes to guardianship, what else have you tried? Before we decide to take rights away, shouldn’t we ask that question? Rights are precious,” said Jonathan Martinis, the Senior Director for Law and Policy at the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. Continue Reading