Ben Lou Poggo Waran joins the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) team from the newly formed nation of South Sudan. Ben is currently a student at Syracuse University pursuing his Master’s Degree in Teaching and Curriculum where he will graduate in May 2018.

Before coming to the United States to continue his studies, Ben worked as a high school teacher and had the pleasure of serving in the Ministry of Education as the Senior Inspector of Special Education. Ben also held the position of Director of Inclusive Education.

Ben describes himself as an individual with low-vision, using Zoom Text screen reader software as his assistive technology. Ben has persevered through much hardship including being separated from his wife for the past three years due to immigration constraints. He has been working hard to achieve his goals and hopes to one day return to South Sudan, bringing with him the knowledge and skills from the BBI, to provide education to children with disabilities.

About the Burton Blatt Institute

BBI reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities, with offices in Syracuse, NY, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. For more information about BBI and the dates and locations of the seminar series, visit: https://bbi.syr.edu.