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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Pages
- Title
- Little League
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows teammates sitting on the bench at a baseball game as they watch their teammate, Marty, up at bat while umpire behind the catcher calls out, "That's ball four." One teammate on the bench says, "Marty hardly ever swings at the ball. Is that because of his disability?" Another...
Show moreThis cartoon shows teammates sitting on the bench at a baseball game as they watch their teammate, Marty, up at bat while umpire behind the catcher calls out, "That's ball four." One teammate on the bench says, "Marty hardly ever swings at the ball. Is that because of his disability?" Another teammate says, "I don't know -- but he has the highest on-base percentage of anyone on the team." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Little League Teammates learn there are many ways to contribute."
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- Title
- Little Shop of Horrors
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a shop full of all kinds of antiquated and aversive behavioral implements such as a white noise chamber, straight jackets, ammonia spray, zappers, paddles, tranquilizing medication, and chairs with restraining belts. The tag line reads, "Little Shop of Horrors."
- Title
- Lobsterville
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a boy being greeted by man who has one hand that looks like a lobster claw in front of a building that looks like a gigantic lobster trap with a giant lobster already caught inside. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Crusty welcomes Fred to the Lobsterville Special...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a boy being greeted by man who has one hand that looks like a lobster claw in front of a building that looks like a gigantic lobster trap with a giant lobster already caught inside. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Crusty welcomes Fred to the Lobsterville Special Education Center where their motto is 'You can get in, but you can't get out!'"
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- Title
- Lone Ranger
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man dressed as a cowboy with a sheriff star on his shirt riding a hobby horse. He is saying, "Hi oh Silver, Away!" The tag line reads, "The Lone Ranger of Teamwork: A team of one gets a little done." A tag line on the left reads, "Inspired by Linda Backus."
- Title
- Long Arm of the Law
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a crowd of people at a conference. The title of the conference on a banner reads, "Welcome to the IDEA Violators Annual Conference." There is a sandwich board that reads, "Keynote: How to Avoid Compliance and Penalties at the Same Time." There is a long shadow of an arm reaching...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a crowd of people at a conference. The title of the conference on a banner reads, "Welcome to the IDEA Violators Annual Conference." There is a sandwich board that reads, "Keynote: How to Avoid Compliance and Penalties at the Same Time." There is a long shadow of an arm reaching toward the crowd. The tag line reads, "When it comes to enforcing IDEA, The long arm of the law isn't long enough."
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- Title
- Longevity
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two men one handing the other a "Special Longevity Award." The man on the right of the panel is saying "Thank you for your dedicated service. Please, Pleeeease don't leave." The man receiving the award says "I don't understand. I just started working 3 months ago!" The tag line...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two men one handing the other a "Special Longevity Award." The man on the right of the panel is saying "Thank you for your dedicated service. Please, Pleeeease don't leave." The man receiving the award says "I don't understand. I just started working 3 months ago!" The tag line reads "Reducing Turnover: Education officials implement part of their early intervention program." The note on the left says, "Inspired by Dennis Kane."
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- Title
- Looking for Luck
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man wearing a Fighting Irish shirt, throwing salt over his right shoulder, holding a 4 leaf clover and a rabbit's foot, standing on 2 horseshoes. There is a person in the lower left corner of the panel asking, "What are you doing?" The man responds, "Getting ready for my son's...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a man wearing a Fighting Irish shirt, throwing salt over his right shoulder, holding a 4 leaf clover and a rabbit's foot, standing on 2 horseshoes. There is a person in the lower left corner of the panel asking, "What are you doing?" The man responds, "Getting ready for my son's IEP Meeting." The tag line reads "Looking for luck in all the wrong places."
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- Title
- Low Hurdles
- Date Created
- 2010-2013
- Description
-
This cartoon shows three educators (dressed professionally) running in lanes on a track as they jump over hurdles. An administrator is standing on the inside of the track handing out justification forms as they race by and says, "Just fill out this nifty justification form to get a parapro." The...
Show moreThis cartoon shows three educators (dressed professionally) running in lanes on a track as they jump over hurdles. An administrator is standing on the inside of the track handing out justification forms as they race by and says, "Just fill out this nifty justification form to get a parapro." The professional in Lane 1 (closest to the administrator) while jumping over a hurdle reaches for a form and says, "No sweat, I can do that." The professional in Lane 2, while jumping over a hurdle says, "Me too!" The professional in Lane 3, while jumping over a hurdle says, "I'll take one of those." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Low Hurdles: Racing to Get a Parapro."
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- Title
- Lunacy
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows the full moon with stars in the dark sky and a dog sitting on the top of a hill howling at the moon. There is a building with a group of people that you can see through a window sitting around a table having a meeting. Someone in the room says "Are we in agreement? In order to...
Show moreThe cartoon shows the full moon with stars in the dark sky and a dog sitting on the top of a hill howling at the moon. There is a building with a group of people that you can see through a window sitting around a table having a meeting. Someone in the room says "Are we in agreement? In order to teach our students with disabilities to function in our community we should send them away to learn some place else." The tag line reads "Lunacy!? After several bad experiences with the lunar cycle, school officials decide not to hold any more meetings during the full moon."
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- Title
- Magic Stapler
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This image depicts a faux advertisement poster. At the top is says, "You can purchase this Magic Stapler $12.99" It shows the image of a basic stapler and star burst where it had stapled together multiple pages of an IEP, each page labeled with goals of different disciplines: special education,...
Show moreThis image depicts a faux advertisement poster. At the top is says, "You can purchase this Magic Stapler $12.99" It shows the image of a basic stapler and star burst where it had stapled together multiple pages of an IEP, each page labeled with goals of different disciplines: special education, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and orientation and. mobility. The bottom of the poster says, "Comes with 599 magic staples -- no fairy dust required." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Transform your separate, disjointed, discipline-specific, uncoordinated goals into a team IEP."
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- Title
- Mail Order Diplomas
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows an open book of matches. On the inside cover of the matchbook is written. "HOCUS - POCUS U. (M M IT'S LIKE MAGIC! M M) If you have a stamp and a credit card, we're your school! Earn your diploma by mail without ever leaving home! Now offering: PH.D. Master's, Bachelor's, GED,"...
Show moreThe cartoon shows an open book of matches. On the inside cover of the matchbook is written. "HOCUS - POCUS U. (M M IT'S LIKE MAGIC! M M) If you have a stamp and a credit card, we're your school! Earn your diploma by mail without ever leaving home! Now offering: PH.D. Master's, Bachelor's, GED," and written in a yellow star, "New IEP Diploma!!! Earn Credit for your life experience." Tag line reads, "Mail order Universities add the increasingly popular IEP diploma to their offerings."
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- Title
- Make Every Link Strong
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a heavy, large-linked chain going diagonally from the lower left corner of the panel to the upper right corner of the panel. On each link of the chain are words. Starting at the first link bottom left and going up the words on the links are: (a) Choice, Control, (b) Meaningful...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a heavy, large-linked chain going diagonally from the lower left corner of the panel to the upper right corner of the panel. On each link of the chain are words. Starting at the first link bottom left and going up the words on the links are: (a) Choice, Control, (b) Meaningful Activities, Inclusive Places, (c) Meaningful, Relationships, (d) A Home, Now and in the Future, and (e) Health, Safety. The tag lines reads, "Valued Life Outcomes: Seeking to make every link strong."
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- Title
- Making you Talk
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a yellow door with a sign on it that reads "Speech/Language Pathology Office." Through the window in the door you can see three people. One man sitting at a desk across from a boy, who looks scared, and a woman, who looks angry, standing shining a light on the boy. The tag line...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a yellow door with a sign on it that reads "Speech/Language Pathology Office." Through the window in the door you can see three people. One man sitting at a desk across from a boy, who looks scared, and a woman, who looks angry, standing shining a light on the boy. The tag line reads "We have ways of making you talk!"
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- Title
- Marking Territory
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows people sniffing around the area like dogs. One man is sniffing a tree another is sniffing a fire hydrant, another is peeing on a lamp post and another is sniffing a fence. The tag line reads "Marking Their Territory team members in experimental therapy learn to overcome...
Show moreThe cartoon shows people sniffing around the area like dogs. One man is sniffing a tree another is sniffing a fire hydrant, another is peeing on a lamp post and another is sniffing a fence. The tag line reads "Marking Their Territory team members in experimental therapy learn to overcome primitive behavior."
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- Title
- Mediation
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting cross legged on the floor with his eyes closed. There is a person in the left corner of the frame saying, "What are you doing? We're supposed to be preparing for our meeting." Mr. Moody responds "I am! I was told I had to go through meditation before due...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting cross legged on the floor with his eyes closed. There is a person in the left corner of the frame saying, "What are you doing? We're supposed to be preparing for our meeting." Mr. Moody responds "I am! I was told I had to go through meditation before due process." The tag line reads "Mediation breakdown #31:Luckily, Mr. Moody's misunderstanding helped him to feel calm and centered."
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- Title
- Medical Model
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a fashion show runway with a crowd watching models walk down the runway together. At the end of the runway is an old, white-haired, woman wearing a pink dress and orthopedic shoes, walking with a quad-cane wearing a stethoscope around her neck and a headlamp. The younger models...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a fashion show runway with a crowd watching models walk down the runway together. At the end of the runway is an old, white-haired, woman wearing a pink dress and orthopedic shoes, walking with a quad-cane wearing a stethoscope around her neck and a headlamp. The younger models walking toward her are talking to each other. One says to the other, "They say she was a real beauty in her day!" To which the other responds, "She had her chance. The time is past due to make way for newer models." The tag line reads, "The Old Medical Model."
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- Title
- Meet Half Way
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a school principal standing in front of a classroom of parents. The banner on wall says, "Parent Teacher Organization: Beginning of the Year Q & A." One of the parents asks, "Mr. Marcotte, we've been hearing some stories from the kids about the new teacher that have us...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a school principal standing in front of a classroom of parents. The banner on wall says, "Parent Teacher Organization: Beginning of the Year Q & A." One of the parents asks, "Mr. Marcotte, we've been hearing some stories from the kids about the new teacher that have us concerned." The principal replies, "Tell you what -- If you don't believe half of what the kids tell you about us, we won't believe half of what they tell us about you." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Parents and teachers meet half way." A note on left side reads, "Inspired by Rick Marcotte."
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- Title
- Meet the Standards
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody (administrator) standing with a line of students behind him and a couple with a baby, Mr. and Mrs. Standard, in front of them. Mr. Moody says "Suzy, I'd like you to meet Mr. Standard, his wife, Mrs. Standard and their little baby Standard- They're new in town." The tag...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody (administrator) standing with a line of students behind him and a couple with a baby, Mr. and Mrs. Standard, in front of them. Mr. Moody says "Suzy, I'd like you to meet Mr. Standard, his wife, Mrs. Standard and their little baby Standard- They're new in town." The tag line reads "Confused by a state education directive, Mr. Moody arranges for every student in his school to meet the Standards."
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- Title
- Meeting Mania
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows educators sitting around a big table. One man is saying "Our agenda for today's meeting is to review the agenda from our last meeting, discuss why we don't get much accomplished at meetings, and set a date for our next meeting." The tag line reads "Meeting Mania."
- Title
- Method to the Madness
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a cluster of university buildings, one is a tall bell tower with a person at the top laughing, "Hee hee hee." There are three people in the foreground of the panel one man standing on the left says, "Is the rumor true about Dr. G?" The woman standing in the middle says, "I'm...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a cluster of university buildings, one is a tall bell tower with a person at the top laughing, "Hee hee hee." There are three people in the foreground of the panel one man standing on the left says, "Is the rumor true about Dr. G?" The woman standing in the middle says, "I'm afraid so. After 20 years of conducting research he's regressed to a child-like state of writing cartoons." The man standing on the right says, "He won't get tenure that way!" The tag line reads, "Method to the madness: Unbeknownst to his learned colleagues, Dr G. got more people talking about important issues when they were cleverly disguised as corny cartoons."
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