Absurdities and Realities of Special Education
Collection Overview
Absurdities and Realities of Special Education: The University of Vermont Center for Digital Initiatives Collection is a complete set of all of the cartoons created by Michael Giangreco with the assistance of the artist Kevin Ruelle. This includes...
Show moreAbsurdities and Realities of Special Education: The University of Vermont Center for Digital Initiatives Collection is a complete set of all of the cartoons created by Michael Giangreco with the assistance of the artist Kevin Ruelle. This includes a total of 335 cartoons from four previously published books and searchable CD that went "out of print" in 2019 and a few newer cartoons. Michael Giangreco created the original ideas, text, and sketches for each cartoon and Kevin Ruelle redrew the sketches.
The cartoons in the first three books all were originally in black and white. That was a conscious decision, both for aesthetic and practical reasons. The cartoons were designed to be easily copied on to overhead transparencies for display in classes, workshops, and other learning environments. A group called Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) requested permission to use one of the cartoons on the cover of their magazine and subsequently colorized it. Prompted by Giangreco’s colleagues associated with ALLFIE, Giangreco and Ruelle began to colorize the rest of the images. In this complete digital collection, we have included a total of 335 different digital images; including the 315 different cartoons from the four earlier books, 12 cartoons that were on the CD only, and eight that were not included in any of the previously published books or CD.
Cartoons from the early books have found their way on to the pages of many newsletters disseminated by schools, parent groups, disability advocacy organizations, and professional associations. They have appeared in books, manuals, and journals; a few were even published in a law journal. The cartoons have been used extensively as projected slides or within learning activities in college classes, at conferences, in workshops, and at other meetings. Parents have framed cartoons that closely reflected their own experiences and hung them in their homes or offices. Other parents have used them in meetings with professionals to help get their points across. They have been given as gifts to people who "get it" and handed out as door prizes. The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights used them as part of "Disability Awareness Day" at the Vermont legislature. The cartoons can be used in innumerable creative ways.
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(281 - 300 of 340)
Pages
- Title
- Spotlight
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer in an office with others. The scene is in low light and there is a spotlight over her work station illuminating it. Above her is says, "Shining a light on...." and just under her is word disability (with the dis in lower case the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer in an office with others. The scene is in low light and there is a spotlight over her work station illuminating it. Above her is says, "Shining a light on...." and just under her is word disability (with the dis in lower case the ability in capital letters). The way the spotlight is positioned it is only shining on ability. When read with the spotlight effect, the message is "Shining a light on ability." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Employment for All." A note of the line side of the cartoon reads, "Inspired by the Vermont APSE: The Network on Employment."
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- Title
- Stair Wars
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a boy at the top of a four-step stairway that goes straight into a wall as he says to his physical therapist. There's nothing here but a wall." His physical therapist is dressed in a Darth Vader costume holding a light sabre as he says, "Now walk back down the stairs!" The tag...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a boy at the top of a four-step stairway that goes straight into a wall as he says to his physical therapist. There's nothing here but a wall." His physical therapist is dressed in a Darth Vader costume holding a light sabre as he says, "Now walk back down the stairs!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "STAIR WARS: Freddie is not amused by his physical therapist's choice of Halloween costume." A note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Norman Kunc."
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- Title
- Standards Protest
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The carton shows people in the foreground picketing with signs that say, "Put your money where your mouth is!" "Students for adult accountability," "Students against revisionist history." "Why, when I was a kid…", "Fairness in standards now!" In the upper left corner of the panel in the...
Show moreThe carton shows people in the foreground picketing with signs that say, "Put your money where your mouth is!" "Students for adult accountability," "Students against revisionist history." "Why, when I was a kid…", "Fairness in standards now!" In the upper left corner of the panel in the background are two men in suits. One man says to the other, "Thank goodness we made it through school before the standards movement!" The tag line reads, "Standards are adjusted after the legislature considers a bill requiring school board members to pass the same assessments given to students."
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- Title
- Stone-Age Shaping
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows three panels with a father and son from the stone-age. In all the panels there is a fire with a bird cooking on a spit, a stone wheel, and a spear. The first panel shows the son and his father sitting near the fire. The Father asks, "Son, show me cooking." The son is pointing to...
Show moreThe cartoon shows three panels with a father and son from the stone-age. In all the panels there is a fire with a bird cooking on a spit, a stone wheel, and a spear. The first panel shows the son and his father sitting near the fire. The Father asks, "Son, show me cooking." The son is pointing to the spear with a questions mark over his head. The father says "No you are cold." In the second panel the son points to the wheel and the father says, "You're getting warmer." In the third panel the son is pointing to the fire with the bird cooking over it and the father says, "You're Hot, Hot!" The tag line reads "Stone-Age origins of shaping."
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- Title
- Stop the Testing
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two people in bed. The man is having a bad dream and the woman is trying to wake him. He says "Put down your #2 pencils. Stop the testing! Stop it now!" The woman says "Honey! Wake up! You're just having a bad dream." He replies, "...but I'm not finished!" The tag line reads ...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two people in bed. The man is having a bad dream and the woman is trying to wake him. He says "Put down your #2 pencils. Stop the testing! Stop it now!" The woman says "Honey! Wake up! You're just having a bad dream." He replies, "...but I'm not finished!" The tag line reads "Night Terrors: Standardized testing still haunts Harry after all these years."
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- Title
- Student Judges
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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The cartoon shows four students sitting at a long table with a banner on the front of the table that says "Student Judges." The student on the far left is holding a score card that reads "7.5" the other three students are not fully showing their cards. There is a teacher standing in front of the...
Show moreThe cartoon shows four students sitting at a long table with a banner on the front of the table that says "Student Judges." The student on the far left is holding a score card that reads "7.5" the other three students are not fully showing their cards. There is a teacher standing in front of the table with legs crossed, hand on his left hip right arm up in the air like he is doing a jig with an apple on his head. The tagline reads "After a full week of testing, students decide to turn the tables and judge their teachers."
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- Title
- Student Relocation Program
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting at his desk holding in his hand a pair of Groucho Marx glasses (glasses frames with a funny nose and mustache). There are three kids on the other side of the desk all wearing the Groucho glasses. Mr. Moody says to them, "Congratulations! You are no longer...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting at his desk holding in his hand a pair of Groucho Marx glasses (glasses frames with a funny nose and mustache). There are three kids on the other side of the desk all wearing the Groucho glasses. Mr. Moody says to them, "Congratulations! You are no longer classified disabled. Today you begin a new phase in your life. We don't have enough money for plastic surgery, so we are relocating you to a new school and providing these nifty disguises." The tag line reads, "To address the lingering stigma of disability labeling, Mr. Moody implements the district's new 'Student Relocation Program.'"
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- Title
- Subtle Reminder
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a classroom with kids sitting at their desks and an Elephant in the corner of the room with a sign on its trunk that says "Remember to include my child!!" The teacher saying "I don't see an elephant in the room…do you?" and another person in the room says "No...I don't either......
Show moreThe cartoon shows a classroom with kids sitting at their desks and an Elephant in the corner of the room with a sign on its trunk that says "Remember to include my child!!" The teacher saying "I don't see an elephant in the room…do you?" and another person in the room says "No...I don't either..." The tag line reads "After meetings, phone calls, and letters had failed, one parent tried a subtle reminder."
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- Title
- Successful Inservice Training
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a room with a number of people at tables for a workshop. There is an overhead projector and screen at the front of the room. A box on the floor is labeled "Yummy Candy." There is a woman talking to the person who will be doing the workshop. She says, "Everything is set for the...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a room with a number of people at tables for a workshop. There is an overhead projector and screen at the front of the room. A box on the floor is labeled "Yummy Candy." There is a woman talking to the person who will be doing the workshop. She says, "Everything is set for the workshop as you requested. But why 50 pounds of candy?" The presenter replies, "Never underestimate the power of chocolate." The tag line reads, "The real key to successful inservice training." A tag line on side of the cartoon reads, "Inspired by my friends in Iceland."
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- Title
- Superwoman
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching confidence."
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- Title
- Supplies
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried expression on her face greets a student with a disability and her mother who is pulling a long wagon filled high with all kinds of special equipment. The teacher says, "Hi Janie, Welcome to the first day of school. I see you've brought your supplies." Her mother says, "We'll bring the rest tomorrow." The tag line for the cartoon reads, "Mrs. Fine wonders if it is too late to request a larger classroom."
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- Title
- Sustained Silent Breathing
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows a group of educators having a meeting around a table. One of the men is saying, "We've identified an objective that will allow Davey to be included in all class activities." to which Mrs. Jones replies, "But this doesn't need to be a goal! He can already do this!" The tag line...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a group of educators having a meeting around a table. One of the men is saying, "We've identified an objective that will allow Davey to be included in all class activities." to which Mrs. Jones replies, "But this doesn't need to be a goal! He can already do this!" The tag line reads, " Mrs. Jones expresses her concern about the objective: 'During a variety of activities, Davey will demonstrate sustained silent breathing 100% of the time.'"
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- Title
- Sustained Silent Reading
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man with very long gray hair and beard sitting in front of a class of students sleeping. All the students in the class appear old with gray hair and beards and are sleeping too. The teacher, Mr. Winkle is sleeping with a book open in front of him on the desk. The tag line...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a man with very long gray hair and beard sitting in front of a class of students sleeping. All the students in the class appear old with gray hair and beards and are sleeping too. The teacher, Mr. Winkle is sleeping with a book open in front of him on the desk. The tag line reads "Mr. Winkle's second grade class sets a new record for sustained silent reading."
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- Title
- Swimming Lessons
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows three panels. The top panel shows kids playing in a pool with a ball and a man standing at the side of the pool talking to a small child. He is saying "Stop! You can't swim so you are not allowed in the pool!" A small caption in the lower right corner of the panel reads "Long...
Show moreThe cartoon shows three panels. The top panel shows kids playing in a pool with a ball and a man standing at the side of the pool talking to a small child. He is saying "Stop! You can't swim so you are not allowed in the pool!" A small caption in the lower right corner of the panel reads "Long Ago." The second panel shows two men throwing a child into a pool. The child is yelling, "AHHHH" The one man says "We'll throw you in. You'll either sink or swim." A small caption in the right corner of the panel reads "Not so long ago." The third panel shows two guys in a pool one has a inner tube on and the other one is helping him. The helper says "We'll start your swimming lessons with some fun activities and supports that we'll fade out later." A small caption in the right lower corner reads "Today" The tag line reads "The evolution of swimming lessons: surprisingly similar to the evolution of including students with disabilities in general education."
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- Title
- Swinging
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel shows three friends standing at a swing set in the park. One friend says, "There are only two swings, and three of us!" Another of the friends says, "I have an idea!" In the lower panel the three friends have found a way to combine...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel shows three friends standing at a swing set in the park. One friend says, "There are only two swings, and three of us!" Another of the friends says, "I have an idea!" In the lower panel the three friends have found a way to combine the two swings so all three are swinging as they are all smiling and saying, "WHEEEEE!!" The tag line reads, "Friends apply lessons of creative problem solving to everyday life."
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- Title
- A Tale of Two Schools
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon has two panels, top and bottom. The top panel shows two people across a table from each other. The person to the right has two large stacks of books next to him. The person to the left says, "Are we ready to include students with more severe disabilities in regular class?." The second...
Show moreThe cartoon has two panels, top and bottom. The top panel shows two people across a table from each other. The person to the right has two large stacks of books next to him. The person to the left says, "Are we ready to include students with more severe disabilities in regular class?." The second person says, "As soon as I finish reading these books on inclusion and draft our long-range plan... We should be ready in 7 or 8 years." The bottom panel has two people facing each other, both holding a piece of paper. The person on the left says, "I'm sure glad we got started including and supporting all our students in regular classes." The person to the right says, "Me too! I know we'll learn things along the way from our success and mistakes." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "A tale of two schools."
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- Title
- Teacher Shortage
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a woman in a red dress standing in a spotlight with film crew around her. She is holding an apple and a script. In the lower left corner a director is holding a clapboard and saying, "Quiet on the set. Teacher Recruitment - Take 3. ACTION!" The woman says, "I'm not a teacher,...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a woman in a red dress standing in a spotlight with film crew around her. She is holding an apple and a script. In the lower left corner a director is holding a clapboard and saying, "Quiet on the set. Teacher Recruitment - Take 3. ACTION!" The woman says, "I'm not a teacher, but I play one at school, you can too." The tag line reads, "Unemployed actors are recruited to fill the national teacher shortage."
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- Title
- Teaching Old Logs
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody standing outside with an old dog sitting to his left with a ball in it's mouth and a stack of logs in front of him. He has his hand up in the air and is exclaiming "Stay!" directed to the logs. The dog is looking at him with a question mark in a thought bubble above...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody standing outside with an old dog sitting to his left with a ball in it's mouth and a stack of logs in front of him. He has his hand up in the air and is exclaiming "Stay!" directed to the logs. The dog is looking at him with a question mark in a thought bubble above his head. The tag line reads, "Knowing how hard it is to effect meaningful change in people, Mr. Moody decides to work his way up to it by teaching old logs new tricks."
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- Title
- Teaching Spectrum Disorder
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two parents sitting holding hands across a table from two educators, a man and a woman. The father is saying, "What have you learned from your evaluation? Why is Sam having such difficulty learning?" To which the woman educator says, "The good news is that Sam doesn't have...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two parents sitting holding hands across a table from two educators, a man and a woman. The father is saying, "What have you learned from your evaluation? Why is Sam having such difficulty learning?" To which the woman educator says, "The good news is that Sam doesn't have learning disabilities! The bad news is his teacher has "Pervasive Developmental Teaching Delays." The tag line reads, "Sam's teacher is diagnosed with a 'Teaching Spectrum Disorder'."
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- Title
- Team of One
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has four panels arranged in a square pattern. Each panel shows a table with four chairs, three are empty and one is occupied by Marty. In the first frame Marty has just moved from one seat to another as he says, "And that's my idea!" In the second panel he quickly moves to a...
Show moreThis cartoon has four panels arranged in a square pattern. Each panel shows a table with four chairs, three are empty and one is occupied by Marty. In the first frame Marty has just moved from one seat to another as he says, "And that's my idea!" In the second panel he quickly moves to a different chair and says, "That's a very interesting idea!" In the third panel he again quickly moves to a different empty seat and says, "What if we did that every day? In the fourth panel he again quickly moves to a different empty seat and says, "And we could use it in science too! The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Marty continues to think of himself as a team of one."
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