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
- Line in the Sand
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
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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
- Lobsterville
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
- Magic Stapler
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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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
- Marriage of General and Special Education
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two people getting married. They are holding hands as they move through a doorway together. Behind them in shadows are lots of luggage of various shapes and sizes. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "In the marriage of general and special education, both parties agree to...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two people getting married. They are holding hands as they move through a doorway together. Behind them in shadows are lots of luggage of various shapes and sizes. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "In the marriage of general and special education, both parties agree to leave their baggage at the door." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Mara Sapon-Shevin, Rich Villa, and Jacque Thousand."
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- Title
- Misdemeanor Middle School
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a student in a wheelchair sitting outside a school. The school building is on tall stilts, is surrounded by barbed wire, and has only one entrance at the top of a long steep stairway. The building has a ground level sign that says, "IDEA, L.R.E., and F.A.P.E" and high above a...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a student in a wheelchair sitting outside a school. The school building is on tall stilts, is surrounded by barbed wire, and has only one entrance at the top of a long steep stairway. The building has a ground level sign that says, "IDEA, L.R.E., and F.A.P.E" and high above a sign over the entrance door reads, "Welcome. Misdemeanor Middle School." The student looking up at the inaccessible entrance has a thought bubble filled with random characters indicating he's saying a series of expletives to himself. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Administration at Misdemeanor Middle School continue to consider themselves above the law."
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- Title
- Mrs. Brown keeps her name.
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a group of school personnel seated at a table facing a chalkboard where another person is standing and pointing to the board. On the board are written several different names used to refer to paraprofessionals such as Teacher's Helper, Teacher's Aide, Teacher's Assistant,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a group of school personnel seated at a table facing a chalkboard where another person is standing and pointing to the board. On the board are written several different names used to refer to paraprofessionals such as Teacher's Helper, Teacher's Aide, Teacher's Assistant, Individual Support Person, Paraeducator, Jill of All Trades, Ed-entered Servant, and others that are partially obscured -- all of the names have been crossed out with chalk line through each of them. Only one name is not crossed out, Mrs. Brown. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After a grueling meeting, the staff decides to let Mrs. Brown keep her name."
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- Title
- Mysteries of Friendship
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows two teachers talking to each other in the foreground. In the background are two students painting at an easel -- one is seated in a wheelchair and the other does not have a disability. One teacher says, "I don't get it. What does Keith see in Joey? He can't walk or talk, he...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two teachers talking to each other in the foreground. In the background are two students painting at an easel -- one is seated in a wheelchair and the other does not have a disability. One teacher says, "I don't get it. What does Keith see in Joey? He can't walk or talk, he needs help with everything, yet they're inseparable." The other teacher says, "Maybe part of being friends is liking a person for who they are -- not just what they can do." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mysteries of Friendship."
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- Title
- Name that Discipline
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows three parents next to each other standing behind podiums labeled, Parent 1, 2 and 3; behind them is the name of the game show they are playing, "Name that Discipline." Parent number 1 says, "I can name that discipline in one goal!" The show's host says, "OK, Here's you next...
Show moreThis cartoon shows three parents next to each other standing behind podiums labeled, Parent 1, 2 and 3; behind them is the name of the game show they are playing, "Name that Discipline." Parent number 1 says, "I can name that discipline in one goal!" The show's host says, "OK, Here's you next clue: Sally will increase bilateral lip posturing, lip movement and lateralization." The tag line below the cartoon reads, "Having suffered through excessive exposure to professionals, parents look for fun ways of coping."
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- Title
- A New Twist on School Bussing
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has three panels; in all three a school administrator (Mr. Moody) is seated behind a desk with a parent in a chair across from him. In the first pane the parent says, "Mr. Moody, I'm very concerned that my son has been sent to 3 out-of-district schools in the past 5 years. In the...
Show moreThis cartoon has three panels; in all three a school administrator (Mr. Moody) is seated behind a desk with a parent in a chair across from him. In the first pane the parent says, "Mr. Moody, I'm very concerned that my son has been sent to 3 out-of-district schools in the past 5 years. In the second panel she asks, "How do you justify this practice?" and Mr. Moody replies, "Haven't you seen the district motto?" In the third panel he points to a sign embedded in an American flag which reads, "Join the Special Ed Program... See the County!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "A new twist on school bussing."
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- Title
- Oh, Que?
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has four panels arranged in a square, each showing the same image: a special educator sitting across from a parent with papers on the table between them. In the upper left panel the teacher says, "Mrs. Ramirez, as you know, we are here to plan an IEP for Jose. Now I know we should...
Show moreThis cartoon has four panels arranged in a square, each showing the same image: a special educator sitting across from a parent with papers on the table between them. In the upper left panel the teacher says, "Mrs. Ramirez, as you know, we are here to plan an IEP for Jose. Now I know we should have checked with you first, but we went ahead and drafted his goals and objectives." In the upper right panel the special educator asks, "Is that OK with you?" The parent, who speaks Spanish as her primary language and has a confused look on her face asks, "Oh, que?" In the lower left panel the special educator say, "Great, I'm glad it's OK with you. Actually, I know shouldn't have, but we went head and made some related service decisions too. Is that OK? The confused parent again replies, "Oh, que?" In the lower right panel the special educator says, "Wonderful Mrs. Ramirez. Don't you wish every IEP meeting was this easy?" Again the confused parent again replies, "Oh, que?" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Miss Plepper was absent for the Inservice on cultural and linguistic diversity.
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- Title
- On the Fence
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a man uncomfortably sitting astride and atop a white picket fence as he says, "Really! I can see both sides." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Roy has been sitting on the fence for so long that he has forgotten how to form his own opinion."
- Title
- Outnumbered?
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a long table with a parent and his advocate seated at the near side (backs to the viewer). Across the table are ten professionals, each identified by a hat indicating their profession (e.g., OT, PT, SLP, Principal). One of the professionals says, "I'm not sure why Mr. Barth...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a long table with a parent and his advocate seated at the near side (backs to the viewer). Across the table are ten professionals, each identified by a hat indicating their profession (e.g., OT, PT, SLP, Principal). One of the professionals says, "I'm not sure why Mr. Barth always feels compelled to bring an advocate to the IEP meeting." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Outnumbered?"
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- Title
- Pants Down
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a special educator sitting at his desk writing and you can see that his pants are down around his ankles. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Rodney is caught with his pants down -- writing goals and objectives without family input."
- Title
- Parole Approach (Cerebral Palsy)
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two students with special educational needs depicted as prisoners, behind bars and wearing striped prison uniforms; one of the students is seated in a wheelchair. One student says to the other, "What are you in for?" and the student in the wheelchair says, "Cerebral Palsy. But...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two students with special educational needs depicted as prisoners, behind bars and wearing striped prison uniforms; one of the students is seated in a wheelchair. One student says to the other, "What are you in for?" and the student in the wheelchair says, "Cerebral Palsy. But they said with good behavior I could be out in 3 to 5." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Parole Approach to School Inclusion." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Robert Holland."
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- Title
- Parole Approach (Down syndrome)
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two students with special educational needs depicted as prisoners, behind bars and wearing striped prison uniforms. One student says to the other, "What are you in for?" The other student says, "Down syndrome. But they said with good behavior I could be out in 3 to 5." The tag...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two students with special educational needs depicted as prisoners, behind bars and wearing striped prison uniforms. One student says to the other, "What are you in for?" The other student says, "Down syndrome. But they said with good behavior I could be out in 3 to 5." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Parole Approach to School Inclusion." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Robert Holland."
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- Title
- Passing the Buck
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a young student with disabilities wearing a deer mask (with antlers) while he is handed from a teacher to a paraprofessional. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The professional staff resort to using props just so the teacher assistant is clear they are passing the buck."
- Title
- Peers Resort to Subversive Tactics
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows three middle grades students seated at a table and talking to each other. The first student says, "Can you believe Harry has to spend all day with grown-ups?" The second student says, "Bummer man." The third student says, "I've...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows three middle grades students seated at a table and talking to each other. The first student says, "Can you believe Harry has to spend all day with grown-ups?" The second student says, "Bummer man." The third student says, "I've got an idea. You distract the assistant..." In the lower panel one student waves to an assistant and calls out "Excuse me!" While the assistant's back is turned, the other two students quickly push a visibly happy Harry away while saying, "Let's go Harry!" The tag line reads, "Peers resort to subversive tactics."
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- Title
- Peg's Question
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a young girl sitting on her mother's lap in an overstuffed arm chair with a lamp and end table next to it. The child says to her mother, "Mom, there's a boy in my class with disabilities. Weren't there any kids with disabilities where we used to live?" The tag line reads, "Peg...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a young girl sitting on her mother's lap in an overstuffed arm chair with a lamp and end table next to it. The child says to her mother, "Mom, there's a boy in my class with disabilities. Weren't there any kids with disabilities where we used to live?" The tag line reads, "Peg doesn't know that the kids with disabilities in her old district were sent to special education schools." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Peg Smith."
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- Title
- Power of Test Results
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels with nearly identical images showing a teacher and occupational therapist talking about a student. In the upper frame the occupational therapist asks, "How have you found Sarah's handwriting?" The teacher replies, "Actually, it's quite good. In fact, it's as good or...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels with nearly identical images showing a teacher and occupational therapist talking about a student. In the upper frame the occupational therapist asks, "How have you found Sarah's handwriting?" The teacher replies, "Actually, it's quite good. In fact, it's as good or better than the other 2nd graders." In the lower frame the occupational therapist replies, "The results of my OT evaluation indicate substantial visual-perceptual-motor delays. She'll need special seating, a slant board, a special pencil grip, and an hour a week of direct therapy." The teacher seems surprised, but acquiesces and says, "She seems to be doing fine... but you're the expert!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mrs. Baker questions her 20 years of experience as a second grade teacher and succumbs to the awesome power of test results."
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