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
- It's a Jungle Out There!
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a sign in the front of a classroom room that says, "Welcome to first-year teacher orientation!" A group of first-year are teachers sitting at tables facing a man dressed in safari clothes, pith helmet, high boots, canteen on his shoulder, and a walking stick who is saying, ...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a sign in the front of a classroom room that says, "Welcome to first-year teacher orientation!" A group of first-year are teachers sitting at tables facing a man dressed in safari clothes, pith helmet, high boots, canteen on his shoulder, and a walking stick who is saying, "People, the jungle is a place of great beauty, but also presents many hazards for the uninitiated. You must learn to become one with the jungle and all its inhabitants." One of the new teachers is leaning over to the person next to him and saying, "Does he always dress in character and talk in metaphors?" The person replies, "I don't know, I'm just glad he didn't dress as Tarzan!" The tag line reads, "It's a jungle out there!"
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- Title
- Jargonese as a Second Language
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows an occupational therapist handing a ball to a paraprofessional as the therapists says, "Starting from a prone position, he should assume a bi-ped upright posture and grasp the sphere using the upper extremities bilaterally!" The paraprofessionals turns toward the special...
Show moreThis cartoon shows an occupational therapist handing a ball to a paraprofessional as the therapists says, "Starting from a prone position, he should assume a bi-ped upright posture and grasp the sphere using the upper extremities bilaterally!" The paraprofessionals turns toward the special educator and whispers, "What did she say?" The special educator responds, "He should get off his stomach, stand-up, and catch the ball." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "David translates for Hank who is just learning to speak Jargonese as a second language."
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- Title
- Job Coach
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows four people in a fast food restaurant. Two of the people, a young man and a job coach, are standing inside of a bright yellow field of light. And two men are standing just outside the field of light. The tag line reads, "Tim notices a mysterious force-field around his job coach...
Show moreThe cartoon shows four people in a fast food restaurant. Two of the people, a young man and a job coach, are standing inside of a bright yellow field of light. And two men are standing just outside the field of light. The tag line reads, "Tim notices a mysterious force-field around his job coach that co-workers cannot penetrate."
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- Title
- Laboratory Retriever
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a group of people sitting around a lab table with scientific instruments in front of them. One person is in a wheelchair and a happy (tail-wagging) dog standing on it's hind legs with it's paws on the table is handing him an instrument with his mouth. The person in the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a group of people sitting around a lab table with scientific instruments in front of them. One person is in a wheelchair and a happy (tail-wagging) dog standing on it's hind legs with it's paws on the table is handing him an instrument with his mouth. The person in the wheelchair says, "Thanks!" The tag line reads, "Laboratory Retriever."
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- Title
- Lady Justice
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a car driver's view of their external side mirror. Inside the car you only see the hand and arm of a white man wearing a suit and dress shirt on the steering wheel. In the mirror you see brown-skinned Lady Justice, blindfolded, in a purple wheelchair coming fast. The tag line...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a car driver's view of their external side mirror. Inside the car you only see the hand and arm of a white man wearing a suit and dress shirt on the steering wheel. In the mirror you see brown-skinned Lady Justice, blindfolded, in a purple wheelchair coming fast. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear."
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- Title
- Large Caseloads
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a woman sitting at a desk in the dark with just one light on, papers all around and a calculator in her hands. She says "Looks like I have an average of six minutes a day to support each of my students with disabilities in regular class. That includes planning, assessing,...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a woman sitting at a desk in the dark with just one light on, papers all around and a calculator in her hands. She says "Looks like I have an average of six minutes a day to support each of my students with disabilities in regular class. That includes planning, assessing, adapting, teaching, consulting, evaluating, communicating with parents, supervising paraprofessionals..." The tag line reads "Large caseloads for special educators: The numbers just don't add up!"
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- Title
- Last straw
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a two-humped camel and a person standing on a stool loading files onto the camels back in the space between the humps. The load is so heavy that the camel yells out, "Ouch! My Back!" The person putting the files on its back says, "Just one more!" The tag line reads, "Practice...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a two-humped camel and a person standing on a stool loading files onto the camels back in the space between the humps. The load is so heavy that the camel yells out, "Ouch! My Back!" The person putting the files on its back says, "Just one more!" The tag line reads, "Practice preventing problems: Find out what the last straw will be before it's too late."
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- Title
- Lawyers Part of Every Day
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at the door of her classroom with slightly confused look of her face as she says, "Can I help you?" to a man at her door. The man is carrying a brief case that is labeled with the words "Threats, Intimidation, Legalese, Coercion" and he says to the teacher, "Yes, I'm...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at the door of her classroom with slightly confused look of her face as she says, "Can I help you?" to a man at her door. The man is carrying a brief case that is labeled with the words "Threats, Intimidation, Legalese, Coercion" and he says to the teacher, "Yes, I'm Bill M. Hourly, Esquire. I'm here to ensure collaboration for Joey's inclusion through adversarial methods." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The Bar Association proposes an amendment to IDEA requiring that lawyers be part of every child's IEP team."
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- Title
- Legislative Practical Jokes
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a legislative gallery-style room. There is a woman standing at the podium in the middle of the room saying, "Gentleladies and Gentlemen, the session will come to order." A man and woman in the front row are whispering to each other. The woman says "I'm sooooo bored! What can we...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a legislative gallery-style room. There is a woman standing at the podium in the middle of the room saying, "Gentleladies and Gentlemen, the session will come to order." A man and woman in the front row are whispering to each other. The woman says "I'm sooooo bored! What can we do to have some fun?" The man sitting next to her whispers, "Hmmmm. I know! Let's propose another unfunded mandate!" The tag line reads, "Legislative Practical Jokes."
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- Title
- Lesson League
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a classroom with a teacher standing at the chalkboard in front of a class of kids. One of the kids in the front row is holding up a tape recorder and asks, "Mrs. Johnson, is it OK if I tape today's lesson?" Mrs. Johnson replies, "This lesson is intended for the private use of my...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a classroom with a teacher standing at the chalkboard in front of a class of kids. One of the kids in the front row is holding up a tape recorder and asks, "Mrs. Johnson, is it OK if I tape today's lesson?" Mrs. Johnson replies, "This lesson is intended for the private use of my class. Any rebroadcast or other use of this lesson without the express written consent of the national teacher lesson league is strictly prohibited." The tag line reads, "Simple accommodations in the age of litigation."
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- Title
- Line in the Sand
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel five children are the beach. Three children have used a stick to draw a line in the sand where they are on one side and on the other side are two other children looking sad, one of whom is seated in a wheelchair. In the lower panel...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel five children are the beach. Three children have used a stick to draw a line in the sand where they are on one side and on the other side are two other children looking sad, one of whom is seated in a wheelchair. In the lower panel all five students are inside a circle that has been drawn in the sand. The tag line reads, "Marc give new meaning to drawing a line in the sand."
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- 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
- 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
- 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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