G’01, L’01, the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence 2024-2027 at the College of Law, has spent her career teaching at the intersection of constitutional law, disability law, human rights and international security. The Meredith Professorship has given her sustained support to pursue her focus on universal design in higher education, not as an abstract principle, she says, but as a lived challenge institutions are navigating in real time.

As part of her teaching award, she has organized a daylong symposium on April 10 at the College of Law, sponsored by multiple University partners, including the Burton Blatt Institute, Center for Disability Resources, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program. The event will examine the transformative global impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the evolution of universal design principles in higher education.

That global lens is grounded in True-Frost’s own research. Studying accessibility law at the European Court of Human Rights, she has found that the ADA’s most significant international influence has been conceptual rather than doctrinal: the foundational idea that disability is a rights issue, not a welfare issue and that the burden of accommodation belongs to institutions rather than individuals.

True-Frost hopes the event will prompt a harder look at how higher education institutions approach accessibility.

“Inclusion is not a disability resources office problem,” she says. “It is a campuswide design challenge—and getting it right is how we honor the promise that higher education makes to everyone who comes here seeking to grow.”

Below, True-Frost shares what she hopes students, faculty and administrators take away from the symposium.

The (BBI) at ������ sponsored students from the College of Law to attend the . The annual symposium is a leading national disability law meeting, bringing together disability rights practitioners, educators and scholars to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities. The annual event honors the legacy of tenBroek, who founded the National Federation of the Blind in 1940. The theme for the 2026 symposium was “Collaboration and Creativity: Addressing Challenges and Advancing Opportunities Now and in the Future.”

The students participating in the symposium were Kaitlin Sommer and Emely Recinos, both third-year law students and co-presidents of the Disabled Law Students Association at the College of Law, sponsored by BBI, Carly Bastedo, a third-year law student and Sydney Sheffield, a first-year law student.

BBI’s goal in supporting the students was to further their shared commitment to advancing opportunity and access in the legal profession. “Our participation at the symposium deepened our understanding of issues in disability law and helped us to build professional networks that support our careers in public interest law, policy and advocacy,” says Sommer. “I hope to attend the symposium for years to come.”

, University Professor and chairman of BBI, believes that “the symposium enables students to engage with the broader work of BBI, which seeks to advance the civic, economic and social participation of people with disabilities through research, education and outreach.”

Stephen Kuusisto, Urayoán Noel and OlaRose Ndubuisi—three poets whose work embody resilience, identity and the radical possibilities of language—will present their work at the annual poetry reading on

The event, produced by Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, takes place at the , where the “” spring exhibition, which recognizes artists who live with disabilities, is currently displayed.

“This unique setting provides  much excitement for our Cruel April series this year,” says , the University’s executive director of cultural engagement for the Hispanic community and Point of Contact director. “Just as the exhibition’s artistic expressions expand on ideas of creativity shaped by body, mind, culture and history, the works of the three poets enter into a dialogue across cultures and disciplines. Both forums offer varied perspectives on how artists navigate the world on their own terms.”

The poetry program begins at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Poet and essayist is a University Professor and director of the . Blind since birth, Kuusisto has built a celebrated body of work that redefines understandings of perception and beauty. His poetry collections, “Only Bread, Only Light” (2000) and “Letters to Borges” (2013), along with memoirs including “Planet of the Blind” and “Have Dog, Will Travel,” have established him as one of the most compelling disability voices in American letters. His work has appeared in Harper’s, Poetry and The New York Times Magazine.

is an internationally recognized poet and scholar, an associate professor of English and Spanish at New York University and a defining voice in Latinx and Nuyorican literary traditions. He is the author of the landmark study “In Visible Movement: Nuyorican Poetry from the Sixties to Slam” (2014) and the poetry collections “Buzzing Hemisphere/Rumor Hemisférico” (2015) and “Transversal” (2021), which was a New York Public Library Book of the Year. He is also the winner of the LASA Latino Studies Book Award. His work explores neurodivergence, migration and the politics of language. Cruel April is presented in partnership with the , , , and the .

’29, the 2024–25 New York State Youth Poet Laureate, is a Syracuse student pursuing dual majors in biology and journalism. She is also a Coronat Scholar and Renée Crown honors student and is enrolled in SUNY Upstate Medical University’s B.S./M.D. program. Her poetry draws on her experience with scoliosis, her Nigerian heritage and her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities. A premature birth survivor, she is the founder of The Finding Scoliosis Kindly Project and a Prudential Emerging Visionaries award winner.

The ’s Disability Employment Policy Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (DEP RRTC) has the second grant cycle of their podcast series, “Let’s Get to Work: Reimagining Disability Employment Policy.” The podcast series is hosted by Peter Blanck, University Professor and Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute, and produced by the in collaboration with leading economic and social policy researchers at Mathematica, Rutgers, Harvard and Cornell Universities. The series brings together scholars, national leaders, researchers, policymakers, business leaders and disability community advocates examining the future of employment policy for people with disabilities.

The inaugural episode spotlights Lex Frieden, a pioneering disability rights advocate and key architect of the independent living movement and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The episode explores Frieden’s life journey and his vision for advancing meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Frieden emphasizes the central role of employment in civic and economic participation.

“If we’re not working, then we’re not contributing to the public good,” he says. “We’re not paying taxes, we are not engaging in the economy to the extent that we can. By working, we are contributing to the product in the workforce, and we’re generating income that we can circulate back through the economy that will benefit the employers.”

Frieden notes that while significant advances have been made since the passage of the ADA, barriers remain.

“The younger generation is finding that there are still barriers to employment,” he says. But he remains optimistic and confident that young and future advocates will “pick up the torch and move on, as I’m seeing happen.”

Listeners can access the inaugural episode online and with Frieden.  

The is a research, education and training center dedicated to enhancing employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities, developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. The center has an expansive, five-year agenda of coordinated research projects designed to explore and identify the policies, factors and conditions that empower people with disabilities to access and succeed in the workforce. More information can be found on the center’s .

The College of Law will host “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Design: Global Legacy and Potential in Higher Ed” on Friday, April 10, in Dineen Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

. Event details and poster exhibition proposal instructions (deadline: March 1) are .

About the Symposium

The symposium examines how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s foundational principles have transcended U.S. borders to influence international disability rights frameworks, accessibility standards and inclusive design practices across diverse cultural and legal landscapes.

Disability rights activist , who holds a degree from Georgetown University, be the keynote speaker and will discuss her experiences with accommodation and accessibility while pursuing her degree.

Panel Topics

Panel 1: Practical and Conceptual Tensions in Accessibility and Accommodation
The panel examines whether universal design truly advances equity or risks masking persistent inequalities. Panelists will navigate the intersection of disability rights, academic freedom and pedagogical innovation, asking whether current frameworks adequately serve students with disabilities or perpetuate exclusion.

Panel 2: Higher Ed Accessibility, Artificial Intelligence and Accommodation in Comparative Focus
The panel takes a global comparative approach to how different legal frameworks, economic contexts and technological infrastructures shape accessibility. The panelists will explore whether the shift from the ADA’s civil rights paradigm to the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) human rights framework has transformed access to higher education worldwide.

Panel 3: Implementation and Institutional Buy-In: Futures and Transformative Potential
This panel confronts the gap between aspirational commitments to accessibility and the lived realities of disabled students, faculty and staff. The panelists will examine why universities struggle to implement universal design principles and what transformative change requires.

Poster Exhibition

The symposium includes a poster exhibition. The proposal deadline is March 1, and specifications are available on the .

“This is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students across campus and the world to discuss, analyze, compare and share strategies relating to accessibility and universal design across diverse learning environments,” says Cora True-Frost, G’01, L’01, professor of law, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and symposium organizer. “A central goal is engaging university communities globally about both the promise and challenges of opening higher education more proactively to people with disabilities.”

The symposium is sponsored by the Burton Blatt Institute, Center for Disability Resources, Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), Disability Law and Policy Program, Impunity Watch News, Journal of Global Rights and Organizations, Journal of International Law and Commerce and the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Program.

������ has long been a leader in disability policy, rights and advocacy. For the past 20 years, the (BBI) and its chairman, University Professor , have been at the forefront of this work. A nationally recognized expert in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws, Blanck joined BBI at its founding in 2005. He is principal investigator on a recent $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, announced last month, to support the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Employment Policy at Syracuse.

We sat down with Blanck to learn more about the center, the work of BBI and the outlook for Americans with disabilities.

The (BBI) the retirement of whose leadership and commitment have left a lasting impression at BBI and beyond. BBI carries on the legacy of Burton Blatt by championing human rights and economic and civic empowerment for people with diverse disabilities across the United States and internationally.

Although stepping back from his formal role as director for mental health initiatives,�� Shaheen will maintain his affiliation with BBI as a senior fellow to support research and outreach activities that promote economic and community participation for people with disabilities.

“Gary’s work has been foundational to BBI’s mission,” says Peter Blanck, University Professor and chairman of BBI. “His ability to connect research with real-world practice has changed lives and influenced national policy. We are deeply grateful for his continued collaboration as a senior fellow.”

Shaheen has dedicated his 40-plus years of work across public, private and academic sectors, to establish national programs that opened doors to employment and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities. His work has focused on supported and customized employment, financial inclusion and innovative models of self-employment.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have worked at BBI almost from its inception until my most recent role as director of the evaluation of an innovative eight-county, California-based project to implement digital Psychiatric Advanced Directives,” Shaheen says. “I very much look forward to lending my skills to BBI even after my retirement when needed to advance its mission and goals.”

Recognizing ������ as a national leader in disability rights and policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the (BBI) with a $4.6 million grant to support the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Employment Policy. The funding is administered by HHS’ , the U.S. government’s primary federal research organization for disability.

“BBI is a premier research institute that embraces leading-edge study of disability policy,” says Vice President for Research . “This award acknowledges ������’s longstanding commitment to advancing scholarship and research with broad social impact.”

The national center contributes to the next generation of federal and state employment policies in support of people with disabilities, according to , BBI chairman and University Professor at the College of Law, who is principal investigator (PI). “It serves as a hub for forward-looking research, education, training and knowledge dissemination, helping to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the second quarter of the 21st century,” he says.

The cornerstone of the center is an ambitious, five-year agenda of coordinated research projects designed to understand the conditions under which people with disabilities can enter, succeed and remain in the labor force. The projects, which address facets of the employment life cycle, share a commitment to policy solutions for the future labor market and the employment potential of people with disabilities. Topics include:

• Labor demand, local infrastructure and the reframing of disability employment policy
• Self-employment and the use of AI in hiring practices
• Workplace accommodations and contingent work

Findings will be disseminated widely to people with disabilities, policymakers, researchers, educators and employers via accessible policy briefs, publications, educational and training materials, webinars and podcasts.

The center is guided by a team of leading disability educators, researchers and community leaders. Partners include Rutgers, Harvard and Cornell universities and Mathematica. Partnerships are also planned with disability-led organizations such as the National Organization on Disability, Independent Living Research Utilization, Mental Health America, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation and Association of People Supporting Employment First, among others.

Burton Blatt Institute Chairman and University Professor Peter Blanck’s 2nd edition of “Disability Law and Policy” was released in honor of the 34th 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.

The year 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the ADA, celebrated on July 26. During the past three decades, disability law and policy have evolved dramatically in the United States and internationally. “Walls of inaccessibility, exclusion, segregation and discrimination have been torn down, often brick by brick. But the work continues, many times led by advocates who have never known a world without the ADA and are now building on the efforts of those who came before them,” says Blanck, who is also a professor in the College of Law.

Lex Frieden, an internationally distinguished disability rights scholar and advocate and former Chairperson of the U.S. National Council on Disability, writes in the Foreword to Blanck’s book: “In 1967, I survived a head-on car crash. When I woke up, I was paralyzed from the shoulders down. . . . My story is one of many in the modern disability rights movement. In ‘Disability Law and Policy,’ Peter Blanck retells my story, and the personal experiences of many others living with disabilities, in a master tour of the area. Peter is a world-renowned teacher, researcher, lawyer, and advocate. He has been central to the modern sea change in disability civil rights . . . ‘Disability Law and Policy’ should be read by all of us—people with the lived experience of disability and their advocates, parents, family members and friends.”

Blanck says that “a new generation of people with disabilities, building on the efforts of Lex Frieden and many others, families, friends, advocates,and supporters, is stepping forward. As a guiding beacon, disability law and policy offer hope of a future in which all people, regardless of individual difference, will be welcomed as full and equal members of society.”

“Disability Law and Policy” is published by Foundation Press and is available from .

, means something different to everyone as it celebrates individuals embracing their full identities, including disabilities. In the pursuit of recognizing the intersectionality and diversity within disability, honoring and educating about the experiences of people with disabilities, the campus community is encouraged to participate in a variety of events.

“Disability Pride Week, which centers on the voices and perspectives of disabled people, reflects the collaborative effort of multiple units on campus. We have been meeting for months to brainstorm, plan and operationalize a full week of events celebrating disability identity, culture and pride. This collaboration mirrors the collective responsibility we all need to take to ensure our campus is moving toward greater accessibility and inclusivity for all members of our community,” says , director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion.

Disability Pride Week 2024 Events

“Through inclusive programming with campus and community partners the Disability Cultural Center fosters personal growth and positive disability identity that builds a sense of belonging, fosters academic self-efficacy and aligns with ������’s Academic Strategic Plan framework to advance excellence for every member of our community,” says “, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “Alongside campus partners, we challenge ableist attitudes, inaccessibility, discrimination and stereotypes, through programming that directly connects students, faculty and staff to the disability community at large both on and off campus.”

A variety of events will be hosted April 14-20 including:

• Sunday, April 14:
• Monday, April 15:
• Monday, April 15:
• Tuesday, April 16:
• Wednesday, April 17:
• Friday, April 19:
• Saturday, April 20:

Visit the for a complete list of events and details.

Disability Pride Week Keynote Speaker Ali Stroker

The campus community is invited to join keynote speaker Ali Stroker, Tuesday, April 16, starting with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The is required to attend.

Stroker is a trailblazing actress, singer and activist who made history as the first wheelchair user to appear on Broadway. Her powerful performance in “Oklahoma!” earned her a Tony Award for best featured actress in a musical. Stroker is an inspirational speaker who uses her platform to advocate for greater representation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the entertainment industry and beyond. Stroker’s keynotes draw from her own courageous journey, sharing insights on overcoming barriers, building confidence and embracing one’s authentic self. Her remarkable story and uplifting messages have motivated people of all backgrounds to redefine what’s possible.

To learn more and for year-round resources, please visit the following websites: , , , , and the in the Burton Blatt Institute.

Story by Student Experience Communications Graduate Assistant Kalaya Sibley ‘24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications  

������ is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, and there are several events taking place on campus and virtually. These opportunities enhance awareness of and support for our disabled community on campus in employment, education, culture and beyond.

Hosted by the , the , the , the , and the , these events follow the highly successful on Oct. 3.

“The events we have highlighted this month showcase the disabled experience in college and beyond, and also deliver resources to faculty and staff on how to create a truly inclusive campus,” says , professor of inclusive education and director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion.

“We are fortunate to have a strong coalition of offices, centers and institutes at Syracuse working every day to bring more awareness, opportunities and resources.”

The campus community is invited to engage in all opportunities, including the following events:

Oct. 10, 3-4 p.m. EDT
Location: Virtual (See event details)

Oct. 12, 9-9:15 a.m.
Location: 347 Hinds Hall

Oct. 13, 3:30-5 p.m.
Location: 306 Steele Hall

Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m.
Whitman School of Management, Milton Room 411

Oct. 19, 9-10:15 a.m.
101 Crouse-Hinds Hall

Oct. 24, 2-3:15 p.m. EDT
Virtual

Oct. 26, 9-10:15 a.m.
247 Crouse-Hinds Hall

For more information about National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy .

For more information about accessibility and varied disability programs, services and resources at ������, visit .

NARRTC, formerly known as the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, selected , senior advisor to the Burton Blatt Institute, as the recipient of the 2023 NARRTC Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of disability through research, teaching, service or advocacy. It is the highest recognition conferred by NARRTC.

Morris received the award at the NARRTC annual conference April 23 in recognition of more than 30 years of efforts to “promote equality of opportunity and economic self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities through research, advocacy, technical assistance, and program development.”

Through his work at the  and the , he has expanded knowledge and understanding of the financial status and economic challenges encountered by working age adults with disabilities and led the translation of research findings to policy changes such as the ��(��������).

A recipient of numerous grants over many years from the National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, he is the author of multiple publications about rethinking public policies to support income production, savings and asset accumulation for people with disabilities. He is currently a member of the research team for the NIDILRR funded .

“I am honored to be this year’s NARRTC Distinguished Service Award winner and be added to a list of amazing leaders who have been past award winners who have made such important contributions to change what we know about and possibilities for more inclusive, independent and productive lives for people with disabilities,” Morris says.

Reclaiming disability as diversity through education and advocacy is the theme for the second annual Disability Pride week, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. From April 17-22, the University will celebrate people embracing their full identities, including disabilities, which can mean something different to everyone.

“It is exciting once again for ������ to host a  during Disability Pride week. We will come together to honor the lived experience of disability and disability identity as a proud part of our full and diverse identities,” says William Myhill, director of disability access and ADA coordinator in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The campus community is invited to participate in a variety of events, both on-campus and virtual, coordinated by the ,��,��, and the  in the Burton Blatt Institute to celebrate and learn from people with disabilities and their lived experiences.

The featured event on Wednesday, April 19, will be , Eddie Ndopu, described by Time magazine as “one of the most powerful disabled people on the planet.”  Ndopu is perhaps best known for his human rights advocacy with respect to advancing disability justice at the forefront of the international development agenda.

Some of the other events featured during this week include the following:

• Sunday, April 16: 
• Wednesday, April 19: 
• Wednesday, April 19: 
• Friday, April 21: 

“Disability Pride Week is a brilliant way for disabled students, staff and faculty to build community on campus, while simultaneously raising awareness for unaware nondisabled individuals,” says Alexis Wilner ’24, a drama major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and a member of the disability event planning committee. “As a disabled student myself, I value the presence of such an event supported by University offices and organizations. Rather than simply saying that the University supports marginalized individuals, this is one of many ways that they have shown a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.”

“By attending and participating in Disability Pride Week events, we hope that members of our campus community develop a strong understanding of disability culture and recognize how vital disabled students’ sense of community and culture are to their positive identity formation,” says Carrie Ingersoll-Wood, director of the Disability Cultural Center. “By participation in events, we hope that our community members come to understand that by building a diverse, inclusive and vibrant campus, they will set a trajectory for celebrating and validating disability as global citizens in their future professional career spaces.”

In addition to the events planned for Disability Pride Week, the University community can visit the on the first floor of the Schine Student Center, for a schedule of events and information on campus resources related to disability, access and inclusion. Free T-shirts and other giveaways will also be available for those who stop by.

“We will be showing clips from current and historical videos related to disability pride and history,” says Christine Ashby, director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion in the School of Education. “Visitors will be invited to add a message or image to a legacy book we are creating to honor Judy Heumann and her leadership in disability rights advocacy and activism.” Heumann, who passed away on March 4, 2023, was an author, disability rights leader, founder of the World Institute on Disability, former assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, former special advisor on disability rights for the U.S. State Department, and subject of the documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.”

For more information and for resources that are available year-round, visit and the and for upcoming events.

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Southeast ADA Center has launched a special virtual interview series where we speak with leaders of the disability rights movement who advance the cause of equal rights through their tireless work. The interview series and resources are available at the website .

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any federal department or agency, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

These organizations and employers include many hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers and human service programs. Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.

The Section 504 at 50 Interview Series is hosted by University Professor Peter Blanck, Jonathan Martinis and Barry Whaley of the Southeast ADA Center and Burton Blatt Institute. Guests for the series are the following:

• Andrew Imparato, Disability Rights California
• Charlotte McClain-Nhalpo, The World Bank
• Emily Ladau, author and disability rights activist
• John Wodatch, former chief of disability rights, U.S. Department of Justice
• Judy Heumann, author and disability activist
• Kathy Martinez, disability and accessibility strategy consultant
• Lex Frieden, educator, disability rights activist
• Lois Curtis, artist and plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C.
• Lydia X.Z. Brown, Center for Democracy and Technology
• Mohammed Ali Loufty, Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs
• Sanchin Pavithran, The Access Board
• Sandy Ho, Borealis Philanthropy
• Tom Olin, social documentarian

The Southeast ADA Center, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of 10 regional centers in the ADA National Network, to provide information, training and guidance on the ADA. Southeast ADA Center is a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.

To honor and celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, ������ and the Southeast ADA Center are holding a hybrid presentation, “Why No One Has To Be Normal Anymore,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 1.

, the University Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach at the , will honor contemporary disability culture, delivering a presentation addressing the less-than-nuanced history of normalcy and how such a concept has been constructed from the Victorian era until modern times.

A panel discussion featuring University faculty, staff and students will follow, addressing the topic of disability arts and culture.

The talk will occur on campus in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons in Bird Library, and online via Zoom. . American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided, and light refreshments will be served.

“If the history of disability teaches us anything, it’s that disability life stands for freedom and not oppression,” Kuusisto says.

This free event is sponsored by the Office of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach and the in the Burton Blatt Institute, with the support of the , the , Atrocity Studies, the , the , the and .

International Day of Persons with Disabilities was originally proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote an understanding of disability issues around the globe while increasing awareness of how the inclusion of disabled people in every aspect of life benefits everyone.