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
- Flexibility
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the top left panel a teacher (shown alone) asks a colleague, "How do you teach kids with such a wide range of needs?" In the lower right panel the same teacher is shown looking at her colleague sitting on a chair with her leg stretched behind her...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the top left panel a teacher (shown alone) asks a colleague, "How do you teach kids with such a wide range of needs?" In the lower right panel the same teacher is shown looking at her colleague sitting on a chair with her leg stretched behind her head while she says, "Flexibility." The tag line under the cartoon reads, Mrs. Jones explains her secret to never getting bent out of shape."
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- Title
- Flush It!
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a toilet with four buckets of money being poured into it; each with a different label: (a) Inadequate Instruction, (b) Questionable Curriculum, (c) Untrained Staff, and (d) Inadequate Staffing Ratios. The tag line reads, "Unless you spend enough money to meet a basic threshold...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a toilet with four buckets of money being poured into it; each with a different label: (a) Inadequate Instruction, (b) Questionable Curriculum, (c) Untrained Staff, and (d) Inadequate Staffing Ratios. The tag line reads, "Unless you spend enough money to meet a basic threshold of effectiveness, you might as well just flush it!"
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- Title
- Force Field
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a student in a wheelchair with his one-to-one paraprofessional pushing him in his wheelchair. They surrounded by a nearly invisible force field. The student's classmates can't see the force field and bump into it as they try to approach him. The tag line under the cartoon reads...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a student in a wheelchair with his one-to-one paraprofessional pushing him in his wheelchair. They surrounded by a nearly invisible force field. The student's classmates can't see the force field and bump into it as they try to approach him. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Joey noticed a mysterious force field around his assistant that children could not break through."
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- Title
- Geography Lesson
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two educators seated side by side looking at a computer monitor together that is displaying a map of the USA. One person says, "But I thought each school district was required to make individual decisions for students with disabilities -- considering regular class placement in...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two educators seated side by side looking at a computer monitor together that is displaying a map of the USA. One person says, "But I thought each school district was required to make individual decisions for students with disabilities -- considering regular class placement in the neighborhood school as the first option." The second person replies, "Well, on paper -- but really it depends on where you live. Next we'll look at city and county maps." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Harold gets to use new mapping software to give Ellen a geography lesson in inclusive education."
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- Title
- Getting What you Want
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a school administrator and a parent sitting across from each other at table. The expression the administrator's face looks pleased and satisfied as he says, "After lengthy negotiations, we have a plan for Jason's inclusion in regular class. It meets all your requests for direct...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a school administrator and a parent sitting across from each other at table. The expression the administrator's face looks pleased and satisfied as he says, "After lengthy negotiations, we have a plan for Jason's inclusion in regular class. It meets all your requests for direct support services." The parent's face looks distressed as she makes the sound "Gulp!" as she looks at the schedule on the table between them. Every time block shows a direct service (e.g., OT, PT, Speech, Vision, O&M, Hydrotherapy, sensory integration, tutoring) before dismissal and no time in the regular classroom. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Jason's mother has a close encounter with the old saying: The only thing worse than not getting what want is getting what you want."
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- Title
- Grain of Salt
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows a man sitting at a dinner table set with plate and utensils. On the plate are papers the top sheet is labeled, "Model Program Report: The greatest thing since sliced bread." The man is seasoning the report with a salt shaker. The tag line reads, "Whatever hype is served up, take...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a man sitting at a dinner table set with plate and utensils. On the plate are papers the top sheet is labeled, "Model Program Report: The greatest thing since sliced bread." The man is seasoning the report with a salt shaker. The tag line reads, "Whatever hype is served up, take it with at least a grain of salt."
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- Title
- Great Moments in History
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows two people at a desk a woman sitting behind the desk and a man standing in front of her. The woman is erasing something from a bell-curve graph on a document called, "Mental Retardation Definition Change." The man is saying "Tomorrow, when this becomes official, how many people...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two people at a desk a woman sitting behind the desk and a man standing in front of her. The woman is erasing something from a bell-curve graph on a document called, "Mental Retardation Definition Change." The man is saying "Tomorrow, when this becomes official, how many people will no longer be mentally retarded?" The woman responds, "LOTS!" The tag line reads, "Great Moments in special education history: The 1970's provide proof-positive that disability is a social construction."
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- Title
- Hard Questions
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a woman and a man talking. The man is on the left side of the panel and is saying to the woman, "In our school there are some teachers who lecture to middle-achieving students. Do you really think that will work for students with special needs?" The woman responds, "Probably not...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a woman and a man talking. The man is on the left side of the panel and is saying to the woman, "In our school there are some teachers who lecture to middle-achieving students. Do you really think that will work for students with special needs?" The woman responds, "Probably not. But ask yourself, 'Does that kind of teaching work for many other students?' Let's figure out how we can teach all the kids." The tag line under the image reads, "Answering questions with questions."
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- Title
- Hardening of the Attitudes
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows an overweight, middle-aged man in his underwear sitting on an examining table in his doctor's office. The doctor is standing in front of him listening to the man's heart with a stethoscope. The man says to the doctor, "What is Doc? I can take it!" The doctor replies, "I'm afraid...
Show moreThe cartoon shows an overweight, middle-aged man in his underwear sitting on an examining table in his doctor's office. The doctor is standing in front of him listening to the man's heart with a stethoscope. The man says to the doctor, "What is Doc? I can take it!" The doctor replies, "I'm afraid you have a common affliction among veteran educators...Attituderial Asclerosis." The tag line reads, "Harry is diagnosed with hardening of the attitudes."
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- Title
- Hazards
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a golf course with people playing in all different areas. A player is in a water hazard labeled "Staffing." Another player is a sand trap labeled, "Funding." A third player is stuck in a patch of tall grass labeled, "Service Coordinator." Another is stuck among the trees,...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a golf course with people playing in all different areas. A player is in a water hazard labeled "Staffing." Another player is a sand trap labeled, "Funding." A third player is stuck in a patch of tall grass labeled, "Service Coordinator." Another is stuck among the trees, labeled "Bureaucracy," and is trying to hit toward the 18th hole. The tag line reads, "The hazards of transition planning are par for the course."
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- Title
- Head in the Sand
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
In a desert a man has his head stuck in the sand while a nearby, upright ostrich looks at him with a question mark over his head. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Ignoring the need for inclusive education doesn't make it go way".
- Title
- Headlock
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a scene in a school cafeteria where an occupational therapist using full jaw control while feeding a child with a disability who is seated in a wheelchair. A classmate without disabilities who is seeing this technique for the first time is alarmed by what she is seeing and...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a scene in a school cafeteria where an occupational therapist using full jaw control while feeding a child with a disability who is seated in a wheelchair. A classmate without disabilities who is seeing this technique for the first time is alarmed by what she is seeing and saying to here teacher, "Why does that lady have Lisa in a headlock?" The teacher, who looks perplexed says, "I don't know. I'll ask her." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Being unfamiliar with therapeutic techniques, Kelsey fears might be on the receiving end of a knee-drop or body slam."
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- Title
- Heavenly Times
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows the front page of the newspaper Heavenly Times, each side of the title banner shows a winged angel trumpeting. The headline reads, "Scholar Turns Over in Grave, by C. U. Later." The story includes an image of the cemetery headstone of noted anthropologist, Margaret Mead, 1901...
Show moreThis cartoon shows the front page of the newspaper Heavenly Times, each side of the title banner shows a winged angel trumpeting. The headline reads, "Scholar Turns Over in Grave, by C. U. Later." The story includes an image of the cemetery headstone of noted anthropologist, Margaret Mead, 1901-1978, R.I.P. The story reads as follows: "Dateline: Research Heaven. Since her death in 1978, world-renowned anthropologist, Margaret Mead, has been resting peacefully with the full knowledge that varied research methodologies have become increasingly utilized to better understand and improve the human condition. Mead's slumber was abruptly interrupted when federal legislation defined 'scientifically based research' in a manner that dramatically narrows the scope of educational inquiry. Sources close to Mead, report that she is so upset about the government's tampering with foundational research principles that she is organizing a purposeful sample of deceased researchers of various quantitative and qualitative methodological persuasions to peacefully protest this limiting definition by haunting government agencies that restrict or devalue diverse forms of research."
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- Title
- Helping hands
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two teachers talking as they are looking at a shelf that has a gravy boat with two hands sticking up out of it. One woman says, "What's with the mannequin hands in the gravy boat?" The other responds, "They're to remind me of the distinction between my role as a teacher and my...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two teachers talking as they are looking at a shelf that has a gravy boat with two hands sticking up out of it. One woman says, "What's with the mannequin hands in the gravy boat?" The other responds, "They're to remind me of the distinction between my role as a teacher and my assistant's role." The tag line reads, "Classroom Assistants: Expect an extra pair of helping hands. The other great things they do are gravy."
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- Title
- Helping or Hovering?
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has four panels arranged in a square pattern. Each panel shows the same student in a wheelchair accompanied in close proximity by the same paraprofessional show in four different ways. In the upper left panel the paraprofessional is behind the student on a cloud with wings and a halo...
Show moreThis cartoon has four panels arranged in a square pattern. Each panel shows the same student in a wheelchair accompanied in close proximity by the same paraprofessional show in four different ways. In the upper left panel the paraprofessional is behind the student on a cloud with wings and a halo over her head with the label, "Guardian Angel." In the upper right panel the paraprofessional is behind the student and inside a giant horseshoe-shaped magnet with the label, "Super-Magnet." The lower panel left shows the paraprofessional attached to the student by stretchy adhesive with the label, "Stuck like glue." The lower right panel shows the paraprofessional in a flying device directly above the student with the label, "Hovercraft." The tag line blow the cartoon reads, "Helping or Hovering?"
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- Title
- Hierarchy of Deeds
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a black triangle with white writing divided into five sections (meant to evoke Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) that read from top to bottom. "Encourage each student's unique abilities and talents." "Teach the kids and provide opportunities for learning." "Welcome every student and...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a black triangle with white writing divided into five sections (meant to evoke Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) that read from top to bottom. "Encourage each student's unique abilities and talents." "Teach the kids and provide opportunities for learning." "Welcome every student and help each one be a valued member of the classroom community." "Make sure the classroom is a safe and secure place to be." and "Make sure kids have meals and snacks. Let them drink water and use the bathroom whenever needed." In the lower left-hand corner of the panel are two men reading the triangle and one says to the other, "What do you think?" and the other replies, "Roscoe. I think Maslow would approve!" The tag line reads, "Roscoe's Hierarchy of Deeds."
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- Title
- High Anxiety
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a circus tent with a high wire stretched across the center. On one end of the wire is a platform with a sign on it with the word, "Vision" in big letters. On the other end of the wire is another platform with two men standing there. One man is holding a balancing pole with a bag...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a circus tent with a high wire stretched across the center. On one end of the wire is a platform with a sign on it with the word, "Vision" in big letters. On the other end of the wire is another platform with two men standing there. One man is holding a balancing pole with a bag of money on each end (he is nervous and says, "gulp" the other man standing behind him on the ladder says, "That's the plan. Now go for it." The Ring Master on the ground says, "...And without a net..." The tag line reads, "Unless you have the skills, it's high anxiety."
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- Title
- Holding the Bag
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a man looking distressed with his hand on his forehead and holding a bag, while off to the side four others are running away from him in different directions. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After a unidirectional experience with role release, Henry feels like he is left...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a man looking distressed with his hand on his forehead and holding a bag, while off to the side four others are running away from him in different directions. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After a unidirectional experience with role release, Henry feels like he is left holding the bag."
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- Title
- I don't do windows
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
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
-
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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