Burton Blatt Institute (BBI)

What Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) does

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) is a non-profit university research institute founded in 2005 and housed at Syracuse University, conducting applied research, education, and outreach to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. BBI's portfolio centers on three flagship programs: the Disability Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (DEP RRTC), funded by a $4.6 million NIDILRR grant and operated in partnership with Harvard Medical School, Rutgers, Cornell, and Mathematica; the Southeast ADA Center, one of ten regional centers in the ADA National Network providing technical assistance across eight Southeastern states; and the California Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) Innovation Project, a $2.3 million state-funded evaluation of web-based mental health crisis directives.

The institute employs approximately 24 staff including University Professor and Chairman Peter Blanck, Director of Research Fitore Hyseni, project directors, research associates, and technical specialists, with offices in Syracuse, Lexington, Washington DC, and New York City. BBI's technical infrastructure is research-oriented rather than product-oriented: it relies on empirical research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory action research, producing peer-reviewed publications, podcasts (Let's Get to Work, ADA Live!, Disability Rights Today), and free technical assistance resources distributed via project websites.

BBI's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue is derived entirely from federal research grants (primarily NIDILRR/HHS), state government contracts (California MHSOAC), and private foundation grants (MetLife Foundation), with all research outputs, training, and technical assistance provided free of charge to end users. The institute operates as a multi-project research organization within Syracuse University, with no independent commercial revenue streams and no pricing structure for its deliverables.

Name

Burton Blatt Institute (BBI)

Legal name

Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University

Website

https://bbi.syr.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BBI is a Syracuse University non-profit research institute founded in 2005 that conducts disability policy research, ADA technical assistance, and employer-focused studies, funded primarily by federal NIDILRR grants and serving policymakers, employers, and people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Research and Policy Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Academic Accommodations & Access Planning (ADA/504) (EDALAGAA)

Keywords

• Disability policy research
• ADA technical assistance
• Disability employment research
• Supported decision-making
• Rehabilitation research training

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Primary funding comes from NIDILRR (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Major grants include the $4.6M DEP RRTC award and the $2.3M California PADs evaluation. Funding is grant-based and project-specific.
2. State Government Contracts: Contracts with California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) to evaluate the PADs Innovation Project across California counties.
3. Foundation Grants: Funding from private foundations such as MetLife Foundation awarded through Syracuse University's Lender Center for Social Justice for research on disability and the racial wealth gap.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

BBI conducts empirical research, policy analysis, training, and technical assistance advancing the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. Its core offerings include the Disability Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (DEP RRTC), the Southeast ADA Center providing ADA training and technical assistance across eight southeastern U.S. states, the California Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) Innovation Project evaluation, and publication of peer-reviewed books, research briefs, and podcasts on disability law and employment policy.

Product overview

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University operates as a research and policy institute (not a commercial product company) with a portfolio of interconnected research centers, training programs, and knowledge dissemination services. The core offerings include the DEP RRTC for disability employment policy research, the Southeast ADA Center for ADA technical assistance, and the PADs Innovation Project for mental health directive technology. BBI also produces podcasts (Let's Get to Work, ADA Live!, Disability Rights Today), publishes research and books on disability law, and manages initiatives like the Global Universal Design Commission. The institute functions as a multi-project research organization rather than a traditional product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disability Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (DEP RRTC) A multi-institutional NIDILRR-funded research center that develops evidence-based research, data, and best practices to maximize employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities, including workplace access, hiring, retention, and self-employment.
• Southeast ADA Center One of ten regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network providing training, technical assistance, and information to promote voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• California Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) Innovation Project Independent evaluation of a web-based Psychiatric Advance Directives platform deployed across California counties to improve accessibility and usability of directives by individuals, county behavioral health agencies, first responders, law enforcement, and hospital personnel during mental health crisis response.
• Employer Disability Practices Center (EDPC-RRTC) A rehabilitation research and training center focused on employer practices related to disability employment, producing evidence on hiring, accommodating, and retaining employees with disabilities.
• Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC) A not-for-profit corporation developing voluntary consensus Universal Design (UD) standards for buildings, products, and services to expand access for all people regardless of physical stature and varying abilities.
• Supported Decision-Making (SDM) Program Legal representation and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington, D.C., focused on alternatives to guardianship.
• ADA Live! Podcast Monthly podcast series produced by the Southeast ADA Center covering rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with over 147 archived episodes available online.
• Disability Rights Today Podcast Podcast series hosted by Peter Blanck providing in-depth discussion of ADA court cases, featuring plaintiffs, attorneys, and subject matter experts.
• Let's Get to Work Podcast Podcast series from the DEP RRTC featuring guests from Harvard Medical School, Rutgers, Cornell, Mathematica, and disability communities discussing disability employment policy.
• BBI Publications and Research Briefs Library of peer-reviewed books (e.g., 'Disability and the Future of Work' 2025, 'Advanced Introduction to U.S. Disability Law', 'Disability Law and Policy' 2nd edition 2024), research briefs, and academic articles on disability rights, employment policy, and accessibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Southeast ADA Center received over 1,600 technical assistance inquiries in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered cultural, key, supporting, core and regional.

• Syracuse University Art MuseumculturalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026BBI supported the 'Possible Worlds: 20 Years of the Wynn Newhouse Awards' exhibition at the Syracuse University Art Museum (January-May 2026), recognizing disability as integral to human diversity and creative expression.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New York CitykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026BBI partnered with CEO Maggie Mortali of NAMI NYC and AHRC NYC CEO Marco Damiani to convene a groundbreaking stakeholder meeting in NYC to examine the development of digital PADs in New York State.
• AHRC New York CitykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026BBI partnered with AHRC NYC CEO Marco Damiani and NAMI NYC to host a stakeholder meeting at Cozen O'Connor's NYC offices to advance digital PADs development in New York State.
• Cozen O'ConnorsupportingOthers · 12 May 2026Law firm providing NYC office space for the BBI-NAMI NYC-AHRC NYC convening on digital Psychiatric Advance Directives in New York State.
• Harvard Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional partner in the Disability Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (DEP RRTC). Harvard researchers collaborate with BBI, Rutgers, Cornell, and Mathematica to design and implement studies producing new evidence on disability employment policy to enhance employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.
• Rutgers UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional partner in DEP RRTC. Rutgers researchers, including Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse, co-author studies on disability employment policy, workplace accommodations, and the future of work with BBI.
• Cornell University Yang-Tan InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional partner in DEP RRTC. Cornell's Yang-Tan Institute contributes research and expertise on disability and employment policy.
• MathematicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional partner in DEP RRTC. Mathematica, a research organization, provides methodological expertise and Dr. Purvi Sevak (Senior Director of Mathematica's Disability Practice) serves as podcast guest and research collaborator.
• National Organization on Disability (NOD)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability-led organization partner in DEP RRTC. Beth Sirull (President and CEO) appeared on the Let's Get to Work podcast discussing the business case for employing people with disabilities.
• Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in DEP RRTC, representing state vocational rehabilitation agencies that serve people with disabilities seeking employment.
• Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DEP RRTC providing technical assistance and training resources on disability-independent living for VR professionals and people with disabilities.
• Mental Health America (MHA)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DEP RRTC contributing mental health expertise to disability employment research and policy.
• Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DEP RRTC. Barry Whaley is a founding board member and past president of Kentucky APSE, contributing expertise on competitive integrated employment.
• ADA National NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBI operates the Southeast ADA Center as one of ten regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network, providing coordinated national technical assistance on the ADA.
• California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC)coreOthersFunding agency for the PADs Innovation Project evaluation. BBI was contracted to conduct the independent evaluation across two phases, examining web-based PADs effectiveness in improving recovery-related outcomes.
• Concepts Forward ConsultingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the PADs Innovation Project providing consulting services for the web-based PADs platform development and implementation across California counties.
• Idea EngineeringkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the PADs Innovation Project contributing engineering expertise for the web-based Psychiatric Advance Directives platform.
• ChorussupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the PADs Innovation Project providing technology platform services for the web-based PADs system.
• Painted BrainkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the PADs Innovation Project representing lived experience and peer perspectives. CEO Rayshell Chambers collaborated with Peter Blanck and USC Professor Elyn Saks on mental health advocacy.
• Georgia State University Center for Leadership in DisabilitykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center partner and Georgia affiliate. Collaborates on ADA compliance, inclusive practices, and accessibility assessments. Jointly conducting Project PINE at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek, Georgia.
• University of Kentucky Human Development InstitutekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center partner providing expertise on disability employment, community integration, and higher education for students with disabilities.
• Boley Centers (Florida)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in Florida providing community-based disability services and advocacy.
• Disability Rights and Resources (Alabama)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in Alabama providing disability rights advocacy and services.
• CARES (North Carolina)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in North Carolina transforming aging and disability systems.
• Able South CarolinaregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in South Carolina providing disability services and advocacy.
• Tennessee Disability CoalitionregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in Tennessee serving as a coalition for disability advocacy and services.
• Institute for Disability Studies - University of Southern MississippiregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoutheast ADA Center state affiliate in Mississippi providing disability research and services.
• Global Universal Design Commission (GUDC)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBI is affiliated with GUDC through Chairman Peter Blanck, who also serves as GUDC Chairman. GUDC develops Universal Design standards for buildings, products, and services to expand access for all people, including 650 million people with disabilities worldwide.
• Syracuse University Lender Center for Social JusticekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBI partnered with the Lender Center to produce a report on disability as a critical element in exploring the racial wealth gap, analyzing how race, disability, and demographic factors intersect to influence economic security.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD): National cross-disability civil rights organization; comparable as a peer disability advocacy and policy organization engaging federal disability employment and ADA stakeholders with overlapping dissemination channels.

Direct peers

• Institute on Disability (IOD) at University of New Hampshire: University of New Hampshire's UCED and NIDILRR-funded research center; directly comparable as a university-based disability research and training institute serving similar federal grant programs and ADA stakeholder audiences.
• Kessler Foundation: East Hanover, NJ-based nonprofit research and grant-making organization operating NIDILRR-funded RRTCs on disability employment and rehabilitation; directly comparable as a peer NIDILRR research grantee with overlapping employment-policy research agenda.
• Cornell Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability: Cornell University's disability employment research institute and a BBI partner in the DEP RRTC; comparable as a university-based research center producing evidence on disability employment, workplace accommodations, and VR policy.
• Mid-Atlantic ADA Center (TransCen): One of the ten regional ADA National Network centers providing ADA training and technical assistance; directly comparable as a peer ADA Center delivering identical federally mandated services to a different region.
• National Disability Institute (NDI): National nonprofit focused on the financial wellness and employment of people with disabilities; directly comparable as a peer advocacy and research organization addressing disability employment and economic security, often in partnership with BBI on wealth gap research.

Emerging players

• Mathematica: Policy research and data analytics firm with a dedicated Disability Practice led by Dr. Purvi Sevak; comparable as a DEP RRTC research collaborator performing disability employment evaluation work of similar scope.
• National Organization on Disability (NOD): National disability-led nonprofit focused on disability employment and corporate inclusion; comparable as a BBI DEP RRTC partner and stakeholder, with overlapping employer-facing audience and policy influence goals.
• Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE): National membership organization advancing competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities; comparable as a DEP RRTC partner and peer stakeholder influencing disability employment policy and practice.

Others

• Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR): National association representing state VR agencies; comparable as a DEP RRTC partner organization connecting BBI research outputs to the state VR system that delivers direct employment services to people with disabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/bbi-syr.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BurtonBlattInstitute/feed
• Facebookfacebook.com/BurtonBlattInstitute
• Instagramlinkedin.com/groups/18761030
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burton-blatt-institute---syracuse-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Burton Blatt Institute (BBI)