April 2, 2017

Ben Jones, an office assistant at the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), will be participating in the fifth annual “Cripping” the Comic Con, a full-day international summit co-sponsored by the Disability Student Union and the Disability Cultural Center at Syracuse University. The theme for this year’s event is “Our Own Icons!” and aims to engage participants in reflective discussions about representations of disability in mainstream popular culture. The schedule for the day includes a panel of comic artists who will discuss being disability rights activists; workshops on cosplay, comics and collaborative design; an inclusive photo booth; art exhibits and more.

Ben’s role during the event is to head the gaming room, where attendees can play modern video game consoles, such as the newly released Nintendo Switch and the Xbox One. He is also writing a song about disability rights entitled “Our Own Icons” which will be premiered at the event.

“Cripping” the Comic Con will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The event will be held in Schine Student Center and is free and open to the public.

About the Burton Blatt Institute

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, former dean of SU’s School of Education and a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities.