News

Peter Blanck’s commentary about GUDC Universal Design Certification of Grand Rapids Michigan YMCA featured in Architectural Record

April 14, 2016

Most architects would agree that universal design is important. But resources and incentives for creating inclusive environments haven’t always been widely available. To remedy that, the GUDC has developed a universal design certification standard. Based on a decade of research, stakeholder consultation, and testing, the certification standard is scheduled to launch later this year. Continue Reading

Peter Blanck and Universal Design Featured in International Numbers Magazine

April 12, 2016

Universal Architectural Design and People with Disabilities

Universal Design (UD) in the built environment benefits everyone–women and men, older adults and children, people with disabilities and those without, people using different languages. The Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC), along with the architecture and design, development, and disability and aging communities, is accelerating adoption of UD concepts. Continue Reading

2016 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium

March 31, 2016

Diversity in the Disability Rights Movement: Working Together to Achieve the Right to Live in the World

National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute | Baltimore, Maryland | March 31 – April 1, 2016

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear 2016 keynote speaker U.S. District Judge Myron H. Thompson and leading disability rights and civil rights advocates examine the status of diversity in the disability rights movement and explore ways to increase diversity so that all may achieve Dr. tenBroek’s vision of equality of opportunity at the 2016 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium.  Continue Reading

Blanck Edits and Contributes to Journal Inclusion on Americans with Disabilities Act at 25 for People with Cognitive Disabilities

March 17, 2016

BBI Chairman Peter Blanck Edits and Contributes to Special Issue of the Journal Inclusion on the Americans with Disabilities Act at 25 for People with Cognitive Disabilities

Peter Blanck, BBI Chairman & University Professor at Syracuse University, writes: “The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has helped to define in the United States and globally the modern view of disability as a central element of the human experience. This second issue, of a two-part Special Issue of the journal Inclusion, examines the ADA at its 25th anniversary. Continue Reading

Jonathan Martinis, Nationally Recognized Disability Legal and Policy Advocate, Joins the Burton Blatt Institute

March 7, 2016

Jonathan Martinis, Esq., J.D., has joined the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University as Senior Director for Law and Policy. Mr. Martinis has over 20 years’ experience representing and advocating for people with disabilities to ensure that they receive the services and supports they need and want to live full, meaningful, and community integrated lives. Continue Reading