News

Blanck to speak at 17th Annual Coleman Institute Conference on Envisioning the Future of Technology

November 2, 2017

BBI Chairman and University Professor, Dr. Peter Blanck, will be a speaker at the 17th Annual Coleman Institute Conference in Broomfield, Colorado on November 2. Since 2001 The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities has hosted an annual conference devoted exclusively to the research, policy, and development of technology for people with cognitive disabilities.   The conference is nationally recognized as one of the few venues dedicated exclusively to technology and information access for people with cognitive disabilities. Continue Reading

Maria Veronica Reina, former director of BBI international programs, Passes Away in Argentina

October 31, 2017

Dear Colleague and former director of BBI international programs, Maria Veronica Reina, Passes Away in Argentina

With profound sadness, the BBI family mourns the loss of María Veronica Reina, former Director of BBI’s International Programs and Executive Director of the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD). Maria Veronica passed away on October 27, 2017, in her hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Maria Veronica was an exceptional disability rights advocate and a strong leader in the international disability rights movement, whose accomplishments touched individual lives while contributing to policy and systemic transformations. Continue Reading

Peter Blanck’s book on web “eQuality” reviewed by leading Israeli Scholar

October 16, 2017

eQuality: The Struggle for Web Accessibility by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities

by Peter Blanck
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2014. 467 pages
Review: Shirley Avrami

NOTE: Shirley Avrami’s dissertation dealt with the Knesset’s decision-making process of the Equal Rights Law People with disabilities. Avrami taught welfare policy at the faculties of social work, and now teaches In the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University. Continue Reading

Houston and the Gulf Coast need your attention

September 1, 2017

“Our systems for identifying and supporting those in our communities with disabilities or special needs, especially in times of crisis, are imperfect. In times like these we must take the responsibility to contact those we know and care about to check on them and to do what we can to help either directly or through others. You may be someone’s only hope.” – Joe Treglia. Continue Reading

BBI welcomes its newest Research Associate, Matthew Ramsay

August 29, 2017

Matthew Ramsay
Matthew Ramsay

Matthew Ryland Ramsay has joined the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University as a Research Associate. In his new role, Matthew will be working on projects including the Financial Research Opportunity Group, the American Bar Association Bias Study, the Community Living and Supported Decision-Making project, ADA Self-Advocacy, and a number of other BBI initiatives. He will also be contributing to operations and communications, adding to the overall mission of BBI to achieve the civic, economic, and social participation of all persons with disabilities. Continue Reading

BBI Chairman Peter Blanck’s book, ‘eQuality,’ highlighted in July/August 2017 United Nations Magazine

July 11, 2017

The July/August 2017 issue of the United Nations Special magazine has described Professor Blanck’s book “eQuality” as articulating a standard to make the web an accessible and inclusive place. The book, “eQuality: The Struggle for Web Accessibility by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities” (Cambridge University press, 2014, 2016 paperback) explores how to make web content accessible to all. Continue Reading

Angela Winfield, Leading International Disability Champion and Advocate, Joins BBI Board

July 6, 2017

Angela Winfield
Angela Winfield

Angela Winfield, J.D., a leading international champion and advocate of disability civil rights has joined the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) Board of Advisors. BBI at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people across the spectrum of disability.

Ms. Winfield is the Director of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In this role, she provides leadership, vision, energy, and a unified philosophy to the university’s diversity, inclusion, and engagement efforts. Ms. Winfield develops and implements strategies to create an inclusive environment in support of a diverse workforce, including oversight of equal employment and Americans with Disabilities Act implementation. Continue Reading

Logue and Blanck to present webinar on Civil War Veterans and PTSD

June 29, 2017

BBI Senior Fellow Larry Logue and BBI Chairman Peter Blanck to present webinar on Civil War Veterans and PTSD

We encounter PTSD in numerous settings these days. It is most commonly associated with veterans, and some scholars have suggested that PTSD affected combatants from ancient conflicts through World War II and in today’s conflicts. Continue Reading