BBI takes its name from Burton Blatt (1927–85), 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 Law, Health Policy and Disability Center (LHPDC) 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 Center for Disability and Inclusion, the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, Center on Human Policy, Disability Studies program 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 Center of Human Policy, 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. ==Publications==