BBI is globally regarded as a leader in disability research
BBI is globally recognized as a leader in disability research. BBI’s strength is its ability to conduct scientifically rigorous and yet practically relevant research, producing studies that have influenced public policy and positively advanced the lives of people with disabilities. BBI engages in multi-method empirical research by blending quantitative, qualitative, and archival methods of data collection and analysis using evidence-based measures from multiple disciplines.
Research is conducted using principles of participatory action research (or community-based participatory research), which engages stakeholders in partnership with researchers to work as teams that create scientifically-based, relevant knowledge. By working with stakeholders from the start, knowledge translation becomes a continuous process, ensuring research is used in meaningful ways to create change and impact.
Featured Publications
Advanced Introduction to U.S. Disability Law by Peter Blanck
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.
Advanced Introduction to U.S. Disability Law published by Elgar Advanced Introductions series
Disability Law and Policy by Peter Blanck
Peter Blanck’s new book entitled Disability Law and Policy book was released in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Disability Law and Policy provides an overview of the themes and insights in disability law. It is a compelling compendium of stories about how our legal system has responded to the needs of impacted individuals.
Disability Law and Policy is published by Foundation Press and is available for pre-order from the West Academic
Supported Decision-Making: From Justice for Jenny to Justice for All! by Jonathan Martinis and Peter Blanck
The Burton Blatt Institute is proud to announce the release of Supported Decision-Making: From Justice for Jenny to Justice for All! written by by Jonathan Martinis and Peter Blanck. Jonathan Martinis and Peter Blanck tell Jenny’s story, including how she lost her rights under guardianship and won them back when she showed the court that she uses Supported Decision-Making (SDM) to make her own decisions with help from people she trusts. They’ll also show you how you can use SDM in your life, with family members, or people you support. They’ll give you practical tips and model language to help you request, receive, and use SDM in the programs and life areas people with disabilities use every day, including Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Person Centered Planning, Health Care, Money Management, and others.
Read The Washington Post press release
Heavy Laden: Union Veterans, Psychological Illness, and Suicide by Larry Logue and Peter Blanck
The Burton Blatt Insitute is proud to announce the release of Heavy Laden: Union Veterans, Psychological Illness, and Suicide. written by Larry Logue and Peter Blanck and published by Cambridge University Press. According to noted Historian James Martin, “Larry M. Logue and Peter Blanck have provided a straightforward and extremely useful book that lays out a common sense and productive approach to the problem of what they call “the delayed human cost of the Civil War’s psychological traumas” (p. 6). They lead off with a thorough, if brisk, summary of the recent surge in studies of Civil War veterans. Logue and Blanck then methodically use the evidence from the unusually complete Massachusetts death records and the military and pension records of nearly forty thousand Union veterans embedded in the Early Indicators of Later Work Levels, Disease, and Death database at the University of Chicago to test theories and established procedures for quantifying suicide rates in peacetime and in wartime.”
Read Full Review
eQuality: The Struggle for Web Accessibility by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities, by Peter Blanck
The Cambridge University Press is proud to announce the release of eQuality: The Struggle for Web Accessibility by Persons with Cognitive Disabilities written by Dr. Peter Blanck, Ph.D., J.D. The book will be formally released at the Fourteenth Annual Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology. Commissioned by the Coleman Institute, this exceptional book examines the rights of individuals with cognitive disabilities to equal access to web content protected under law.
Supported Decision-Making: Theory, Research, and Practice to Enhance Self-Determination and Quality of Life, co-authored by Karrie Shogren, Michael Wehmeyer, Jonathan Martinis, and Peter Blanck
“Supported Decision-Making: Theory, Research, and Practice to Enhance Self-Determination and Quality of Life” comprehensively examines supported decision-making and how it can be applied in policy and practice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Published by Cambridge University Press.
Read more press releases and learn more about Supported Decision-Making: Theory, Research, and Practice to Enhance Self-Determination and Quality of Life
Recent Publications
2024
- Lawson-Jacobs, N., Lockwood, L., Raseta, S., Houtzager, D., Jain, S., Lawson, A., Meroka-Mutua, A., Mute, L., Orchard, M., Whaley, B. (2024) Law’s Role in Fostering Inclusive and Accessible Pedestrian Environments: Insights from a Multinational Study, The Project Repository Journal Volume 21, 84-85
- Schur, L., Ameri, M., Kruse, D. & Blanck, P. (2024). Introduction to Special Issue: The New Frontier of Disability Employment on the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10208-9.
- Goodman, N., Wise, F. A., Hyseni, F., Gilbert, L., & Blanck, P. (2024). Disability Inclusion in Corporate Supplier Diversity Initiatives. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. doi:10.1007/s10926-024-10190-2.
- Hyseni, F., Goodman, N., & Blanck, P. (2024). Who Requests and Receives Workplace Accommodations? An Intersectional Analysis. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2024 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s10926-024-10172-4.
- Williamson,P. & Whaley, B. (2024) The Americans with Disabilities Act and Medication Assisted Treatment in Correctional Settings. Forensic Science & Addiction Research. DOI: 10.31031/FSAR.2024.06.000641
- Whaley, B., Martinis, J., Pagano, G., Barthol, S., Senzer, J., Williamson, P., Blanck, P., (2024) The Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Access to Public Spaces, Laws 13: 5. available at www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/13/1/5
2023
- Walia, B., McDonald, K., Hammel, J., Frieden, L., Morris, M., Whaley, B., Nguyen, V., (2023) Economic Equity and People with Disabilities: Development and Characterization of a Novel Index. American Journal of Economics and Sociology. available at bbi.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/application/pdf/bio/whaley-2023-economic-equity.pdf
- Blanck, P. (2023). Advanced Introduction to Disability Law, (2023, Elgar Publishing).
- Blanck, P. (2023). Supported Decision-Making: Emerging Paradigm in Research, Law, and Policy. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 34(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/10442073211023168
- Whaley, B., Williamson, P., (2023) The ADA, Addiction, and Recovery, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 58, no. 3, 299-305. available at: bbi.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/application/pdf/2023-whaley-ada-addiction.pdf
- Blanck, P., Hyseni, F., Goodman, N. (2023). Economic Inclusion and Empowerment of People with Disabilities. In: Rioux, M.H., Viera, J., Buettgen, A., Zubrow, E. (eds) Handbook of Disability. Springer, Singapore. available at: doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1278-7_81-1.
2022
- Whaley, B., Williamson, P., Goodman, N., Altunkol-Wise, F., Morris, M. (2022) Inclusion for all: improving banking practices for customers with disabilities. available at: adasoutheast.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/inclusion-for-all-banking.pdf
- Kline, R., Morris, M., Goodman, N., & Peter Blanck, P. (2022). Disability Reparations and the Modernization of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, The N.Y.U. Journal of Legislation and Public Policy 24, 377.
- Blanck, P. (2022). The Americans with Disabilities Act at Thirty Years, in Combating Exclusion, Embracing Inclusion: Critical and Analytical Essays on Disability Rights Jurisprudence and the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 23-56, (Eds. Sanjay Jain & Tresa Paul), Indian Social Institute, New Deli, India.
- Harpur, P., Hyseni, F., & Blanck, P. (2022). Workplace COVID-19 Health Surveillance and Algorithmic Disability Discrimination, Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01144-1.
- Blanck, P. (2022). Disability Inclusive Employment, Cancer Survivorship, and the American with Disabilities Act, Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01141-4.
- Hyseni, F., Myderrizi A., & Blanck, P. (2022). Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Disclosure of Cancer and Other Conditions by Lawyers with Disabilities and Lawyers Who identify as LGBTQ+, Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01143-2.
- Blanck, P. (2022). Book Review, The Legacies of Institutionalisation: Disability, Law and Policy in the ‘Deinstitutionalised’ Community, Claire Spivakovsky, Linda Steele, & Penelope Weller (eds.), International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 63, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207152211069586.
2021
- Blanck, P., Baker, A., Barrett, C., Battisto, J., Gellerstein, J., Irogue, E., Martinis, J., Nanni, A., Rees, M., Torres, C., Whaley, B., Williamson, P., Felakos, J. (2021) Inclusive Public Space: Law, Universality and Difference in the Accessibility of Streets.
- Blanck, P. (2021). On the Importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Thirty, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, August 2021, 1-23. doi: 1177/10442073211036900
- Martinis, J., Harris, J., Fox, D., & Blanck, P. (2021).State Guardianship Laws and Supported Decision- Making in the United States: Analysis and Implications for Research, Education, and Advocacy, Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 1-9. doi: 10.1177/10442073211028586.
- Blanck, P. (2021). Supported Decision-Making: Emerging Paradigm in Research, Law, and Policy. Journal of Disability Policy Studies. doi: 10.1177/10442073211023168
- Blanck, P. (2021). Thirty Years of The Americans With Disabilities Act: Law Students And Lawyers As Plaintiffs And Advocates. The N.Y.U. Review of Law and Social Change. https://socialchangenyu.com/harbinger/thirty-years-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/
- Martinis, J. & Beadnell, L. (2021). “I learned that I have a voice in my future”: Summary, findings, and recommendations of the Virginia supported decision-making pilot project.
- Morris, M. & Goodman, N. (2021). Overcoming Systemic Financial Exclusion of People with Disabilities in CRA and CRA Modernization. In Boshara, R. & Rademacher, I. (Eds) The Future of Building Wealth: Brief Essays on the Best Ideas to Build Wealth—for Everyone. (pp105-112). US: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and The Aspen Institute.
- Morris, M. & Goodman, N. (2021). Rethink Public Policies to Support Income Production, Savings and Asset Accumulation for People with Disabilities. In Boshara, R. & Rademacher, I. (Eds) The Future of Building Wealth: Brief Essays on the Best Ideas to Build Wealth—for Everyone. (pp105-112). US: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and The Aspen Institute.
2020
- Blanck, P. (2020). Disability Inclusive Employment and the Accommodation Principle: Emerging Issues in Research, Policy, and Law. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09940-9
- Blanck, P., Hyseni, F., & Altunkol Wise, F. (2020).Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Workplace Accommodations for Lawyers with Disabilities and Lawyers Who identify as LGBTQ+. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09938-3
- Blanck, P., Abdul-Malak,Y., Adya, M., Hyseni, F., Killeen, M., & Altunkol Wise, F. (2020). Diversity and Inclusion In The American Legal Profession: First Phase Findings From A National Study of Lawyers with Disabilities and Lawyers who Identify As LGBTQ+. University of the District of Columbia Law Review David A. Clarke School of Law Volume 23 Spring 2020 Number 1.
- Harpur, P., Blanck, P. (2020). Gig Workers with Disabilities: Opportunities, Challenges, and Regulatory Response. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09937-4
- Blanck, P., Harpur, P. (2020). California’s Response to the Status of Gig Workers with Disabilities: An Update. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09948-1
- Logue, L., Blanck, P. (2020). Before the Accommodation Principle: Disability and Employment Among Union Army Veterans. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
- Blanck, P. (2020). Disability Law and Policy, Foundation Press.
- Pamela Williamson, Mary Morder, Barry Whaley (2020) The ADA and Face Mask Policies [Fact sheet]
2019
Supported Decision-Making: Theory, Research, and Practice to Enhance Self-Determination and Quality of Life (2019)
Author(s): Karrie Shogren, Michael Wehmeyer, Jonathan Martinis, Peter Blanck
Supported Decision Making: From Justice for Jenny to Justice for All! (2019)
Author(s): Peter Blanck & Jonathan Martinis .
Closing the Disability Gap:Reforming the Community Reinvestment Act Regulatory Framework (2019)
Author(s): Morris, M., Goodman, N., Baker, A., Palmore, K., & Blanck, P.
Why America Is Better of Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2019)
Author(s): Peter Blanck
2018
Heavy Laden: Union Veterans, Psychological Illness, and Suicide (2019)
Author(s): Larry Logue & Peter Blanck
“The Right to Make Choices”: Supported Decision-Making Activities in The United States. (2018)
Author(s): Peter Blanck & Jonathan Martinis
An Overview of Supported Decision in Serious Mental Illnesses (2018)
Author(s): Dilip V. Jeste, Graham M. L. Eglit, Barton W. Palmer, Jonathan G. Martinis, Peter Blanck & Elyn R. Saks
Regulatory and Legislative Comments
- Comments to Proposed Regulations Implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, RIN 1250-AA02 Submitted on behalf of Burton Blatt Institute to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, February 21, 2012
- Comments on the 2011 Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Airline Websites and Kiosks
Submitted by Peter Blanck to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, January 4, 2012 - Letter to Lawmakers on Section 511 Regarding Proposed Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Submitted by Peter Blanck to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, July 19, 2011 - National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Public Meeting
(30 June 2010) Testimony of Michael Morris, Executive Director - Comments on Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) “Meaningful Use” Regulation Involving Electronic Health Records (CMS–0033–P) and on Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology Interim Final Rule on Certification Standards for Electronic Health Records (EHR) Technology
Submitted by BBI, March 15, 2010 - Comments on the 2010 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on web accessibility (“Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities and Public Accommodations”)
- BBI Comments on FCC mobile phone to achieve telecommunications access for people who are blind and deaf-blind
Submitted by BBI, September 30, 2010 - BBI comments on Disparate Treatment in Hiring of Persons with Disabilities -EEOC
Submitted on behalf of Burton Blatt Institute to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on July 8, 2011 - BBI comment on the EEOC’s Preliminary Plan for Retrospective Review of Significant Regulations
Submitted on behalf of Burton Blatt Institute to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on June, 15, 2011 - BBI comments on Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for Equipment and Furniture