The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), established at Syracuse University in 2005,[1] is an organization that aims to advance civic, economic, and social participation of persons with disabilities in a global society.

[4] 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.

[8][9] In 2004, incoming Syracuse university chancellor Nancy Cantor, during her inauguration speech, announced her intentions to create an institute serving people with disabilities.

Blatt helped found the Center of Human Policy, which was an organization involved in insuring rights of individuals with disabilities.

Outside of teaching, Blatt also consulted with federal agencies and various state departments that deal in different ways with individuals with disabilities.

[25] In 2020, the BBI helped establish the Disability Inclusive Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center along with Harvard and Rutgers.