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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(141 - 160 of 340)
Pages
- Title
- I don't do windows
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows an administrator interviewing woman sitting across from him. He says to her, "The final clause in your new job description says, "The paraeducator will engage in other tasks assigned by the teacher or principal." She replies, "I need to make one thing clear. I don't do windows."...
Show moreThe cartoon shows an administrator interviewing woman sitting across from him. He says to her, "The final clause in your new job description says, "The paraeducator will engage in other tasks assigned by the teacher or principal." She replies, "I need to make one thing clear. I don't do windows." The tag line reads, "Having been a paraeducator for a couple years, Dorothy knew that the final clause could mean just about anything." The acknowledgement on the left side of the cartoon reads, "Inspired by Linda Backus."
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- Title
- I don't feel prepared
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a school principal seated at his desk with a teacher sitting across from him in the foreground. The teacher says, "… so I don't feel prepared to teach a child with disabilities." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite having a master's degree and 18 years of experience,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a school principal seated at his desk with a teacher sitting across from him in the foreground. The teacher says, "… so I don't feel prepared to teach a child with disabilities." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Despite having a master's degree and 18 years of experience, Mrs. Snippett tries to convince Mr. Moody that the student with disabilities in her class would be better served by an assistant with no experience."
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- Title
- I Needed… They Gave Me...
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a person with hands together praying. In a thought bubble the person is thinking, "I needed moral support and they gave me an article to read. I needed an extra pair of hands and they gave a specialist once a month. I needed someone to demonstrate a method and told me I was...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a person with hands together praying. In a thought bubble the person is thinking, "I needed moral support and they gave me an article to read. I needed an extra pair of hands and they gave a specialist once a month. I needed someone to demonstrate a method and told me I was doing a great job. I needed some information and they gave me an instructional assistant." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Match supports to needs continues to be an elusive experience for Harry."
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- Title
- I thought Pat was a boy
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a physical education teachers says to the class, "Boys, 50 crunches! Girls, 5 laps!! Let's go!" The second panel shows the girls running are led by a female paraprofessional pushing a student in his wheelchair. One of the girls says...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a physical education teachers says to the class, "Boys, 50 crunches! Girls, 5 laps!! Let's go!" The second panel shows the girls running are led by a female paraprofessional pushing a student in his wheelchair. One of the girls says, "I thought Pat was a boy!?" and another girls says, "He is!!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "The instructional assistant assigned to Pat experiences ongoing gender confusion."
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- Title
- I Wanna Be a Psychologist
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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This cartoon is two panels. In the top panel the teacher is facing a boy sitting at a desk with his hand up. The teacher says, "So Jimmy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Jimmy says, "I wanna be a Psychologist." In the bottom panel the teacher is looking confused and says, "That is...
Show moreThis cartoon is two panels. In the top panel the teacher is facing a boy sitting at a desk with his hand up. The teacher says, "So Jimmy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Jimmy says, "I wanna be a Psychologist." In the bottom panel the teacher is looking confused and says, "That is interesting. Can you tell me what a Psychologist does?" Jimmy is sitting at the desk with a thought bubble above his head with a dinosaur skeleton in it and says, "Sure! They put dinosaur bones together!" The tag line reads "Confusion regarding "ists" and ologists" starts at an early age."
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- Title
- IEP that "Loooook Maaaaarvelous"
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a special educator who says, "Mrs. Small said you wanted to see me." as she is seated across the desk from an administrator. In a imitation of Billy Crystal's Fernando Lamas parody the administrator says, "I've been reviewing your IEPs. They look maaaarvelous. And as you know,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a special educator who says, "Mrs. Small said you wanted to see me." as she is seated across the desk from an administrator. In a imitation of Billy Crystal's Fernando Lamas parody the administrator says, "I've been reviewing your IEPs. They look maaaarvelous. And as you know, it's better that they look good than be good." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Special Education Coordinator, Mr. Crossway, has watched too many old re-runs of Saturday Night Live."
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- Title
- If You Can't Beat 'Em…
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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The cartoon shows teachers and children playing at a play ground on a slide a swing set and playing frisbee. One teacher sliding down the slide with a child on his lap says to the other teacher on a swing, "You're right this is way better that what we used to do!" The teacher on the swing...
Show moreThe cartoon shows teachers and children playing at a play ground on a slide a swing set and playing frisbee. One teacher sliding down the slide with a child on his lap says to the other teacher on a swing, "You're right this is way better that what we used to do!" The teacher on the swing responds, "Way better!" The tag lines reads, "After the school district banned corporal punishment, staff decided on a new moto: 'If you can't beat 'em, Join 'em'."
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- Title
- In your face
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows two women and a child. The woman on the left says to the other woman, "You must be a very special person to work with disabled children." To which the other woman responds, "Well actually..." The small child standing behind her says forcefully, "Hello?! I'm right here! I can...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two women and a child. The woman on the left says to the other woman, "You must be a very special person to work with disabled children." To which the other woman responds, "Well actually..." The small child standing behind her says forcefully, "Hello?! I'm right here! I can hear you! Hey lady, didn't your mother ever teach you it was rude to talk about people in front of them?" The tag line reads, "Judy's brand of 'in-your-face' Self-advocacy first showed itself at an early age."
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- Title
- Inclusion Every Tuesday and Thursday
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a mother sitting in an upholstered arm chair at home on the phone with the school principal. She says, "We have just moved to the area and we have a daughter with a disability. Do you have inclusive education at your school?" In...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a mother sitting in an upholstered arm chair at home on the phone with the school principal. She says, "We have just moved to the area and we have a daughter with a disability. Do you have inclusive education at your school?" In the lower panel the principal is seated on his desk on the phone and replies, "Yes! Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11!" The tag line reads, "Principal Jones fails to recognize the contradiction in terms."
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- Title
- Inclusion Mishap #9
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a teacher peering around a corner as she hides from a student with a disability she sees down the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusion Mishap #9: Due to a faulty intercom, Mrs. Snippet thought the principal said, You have a new student coming to your...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher peering around a corner as she hides from a student with a disability she sees down the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusion Mishap #9: Due to a faulty intercom, Mrs. Snippet thought the principal said, You have a new student coming to your classroom -- he has disabilities. Do you best to elude him."
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- Title
- Inclusion Patrol
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel is divided, showing two people talking on the phone. The man on the left says, "Inclusion patrol can I help you?" the woman on the right (Mrs. Snippett) says, "Yes. We are trying to develop a model to transition our preschool students...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel is divided, showing two people talking on the phone. The man on the left says, "Inclusion patrol can I help you?" the woman on the right (Mrs. Snippett) says, "Yes. We are trying to develop a model to transition our preschool students with disabilities into inclusive settings when they reach school age. Have you heard of any good models?" In the bottom panel the same two people are on the phone. The man says, "Yes, ma'am. It's called kindergarten in the neighborhood schools." She replies, "Right?! We hadn't thought of that!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Another annoying true story from the files of the inclusion patrol."
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- Title
- Inclusive Proverb
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a couple having Chinese food. In the right of the panel the man has a lot of fortune cookies broken in front of him. The woman in the left of the panel says, "Don't you think that's enough? We have to do something!" The man responds, "I'm hoping to keep opening fortune cookies...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a couple having Chinese food. In the right of the panel the man has a lot of fortune cookies broken in front of him. The woman in the left of the panel says, "Don't you think that's enough? We have to do something!" The man responds, "I'm hoping to keep opening fortune cookies until I get on that says, 'Your child will be appropriately supported in general education.'" The tag line reads "Not so ancient inclusive proverb: Take Action! Persistence overcomes resistance."
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- Title
- Incredibly Excessive Paperwork
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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The cartoon shows two people in an office surrounded by tons of paperwork. A Man says to Mrs. Snippett, "No. It's 'Individual Education Program'." Mrs. Snippett responds, "You're kidding!" The tag line reads "Mrs. Snippett had long thought I.E.P. stood for 'Incredibly Excessive Paperwork.'"
- Title
- Individualized Education
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two special education colleagues in front of a computer monitor. As one person points to the screen she says, "Mrs. Worthy, I hope you like our new computerized individual education plans. They allow us to have all our students' goals be the same." The tag line under the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two special education colleagues in front of a computer monitor. As one person points to the screen she says, "Mrs. Worthy, I hope you like our new computerized individual education plans. They allow us to have all our students' goals be the same." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Individualized Education: Mrs. Smithfield fails to notice the contradiction."
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- Title
- International Flair
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a teacher talking with a high school student at a table. Their exchange of words starts with the teacher saying, "So that is your course of study for next year." The student replies, "Well, pardon my French but those courses 'Chez parle stinko vous!'" The teacher says, "That's...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a teacher talking with a high school student at a table. Their exchange of words starts with the teacher saying, "So that is your course of study for next year." The student replies, "Well, pardon my French but those courses 'Chez parle stinko vous!'" The teacher says, "That's not French!" The student says, "I know. If you'd let me take some real classes, maybe I could learn French." The tag line reads, "Rodney's self-advocacy takes on a decidedly international flair."
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- Title
- Is Bigger Better?
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two colleagues talking to each other. One says, "Do you really expect to implement that 50 page IEP?" The other person, who is hold a thick document and who looks excited says in response, "No, but doesn't it look great!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Is Bigger Better?"
- Title
- Island in the Mainstream
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a class filled with students seated at desks in rows facing a teacher in the front of the room. In the back of the room, separated by water, a student with a disability seated in a wheelchair is alone on a small desert island with one palm tree, sitting a table across from a...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a class filled with students seated at desks in rows facing a teacher in the front of the room. In the back of the room, separated by water, a student with a disability seated in a wheelchair is alone on a small desert island with one palm tree, sitting a table across from a white-haired paraprofessional -- neither are facing the teacher. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Island in the Mainstream. Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Jones are still trying to figure out why Fred doesn't feel like part of the class." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Doug Biklen."
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- 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
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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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