The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) is celebrating the retirement of Gary Shaheen Ph.D. 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.”