Burton Blatt Institute
The Burton Blatt Institute, established at Syracuse University in 2005, is an organization that aims to advance civic, economic, and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society. Peter Blanck, a University Professor at Syracuse University, is the chairman of BBI.
BBI is headquartered in Syracuse University's College of Law building to synergize research interests in civil rights laws. Outside of Syracuse, BBI also has offices in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New York City, Lexington, and Los Angeles.
History
BBI takes its name from Burton Blatt, a pioneer in humanizing services for people with mental retardation, a staunch advocate of deinstitutionalization, and a national leader in special education.In 2004, incoming Syracuse university chancellor Nancy Cantor, during her inauguration speech, announced her intentions to create an institute serving people with disabilities. Peter Blanck and others were recruited from to establish a cross-disciplinary research, education, and outreach institute for advancing the quality of life of persons across the spectrum of disabilities, resulting in formation of BBI in 2005. In addition to BBI, SU houses the, the,, and Inclusive U in the School of Education.
Burton Blatt
Burton Blatt was born in New York City on May 23, 1927. He graduated from New York University in 1949, and received a master's degree in education from Columbia University. He also received a doctorate from Penn State. He began his teaching career teaching children with disabilities and eventually became an associate professor and Coordinator of Special Education at New Haven State Teachers College. In 1961, Blatt became the chair of the Special Education Department at Boston University. Then in 1969 he went to Syracuse University as a professor of education and Director of the Division of Special Education and Rehabilitation.Blatt helped found the, which was an organization involved in insuring rights of individuals with disabilities. In 1976, Blatt became the dean of the Syracuse University School of Education. Outside of teaching, Blatt also consulted with federal agencies and various state departments that deal in different ways with individuals with disabilities. He also was a prominent speaker who gave lectures at universities and other institutions. He has written over 100 books and articles, notably Christmas in Purgatory, a portrait of life in a mental institution, as well as the follow-up The Family Papers: A Return to Purgatory. Blatt died in 1985 at the age of 57.