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
- Shopping Around
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a woman and a man shopping . There is a banner at the top of the panel that reads, "New Cures and Therapies for Fun and Profit (ours)." There are two shelves of boxes. On the top shelf the boxes , form left to right, are labeled: "Subliminal Message Therapy," "Hydro Pudding...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a woman and a man shopping . There is a banner at the top of the panel that reads, "New Cures and Therapies for Fun and Profit (ours)." There are two shelves of boxes. On the top shelf the boxes , form left to right, are labeled: "Subliminal Message Therapy," "Hydro Pudding Therapy," "Swedish Meatball Therapy," and "Kitchen Utensil Therapy." On the lower shelf, from left to right, the boxes are labeled: "Bungy Jumping Therapy," "Invisible Energy Therapy," and "Bladder Release Therapy." The woman says to the man, "WOW! Cool! Let's try 'em all!" and the man replies, "Do you think the school will pay for all of these?" The tag line reads, "Shopping Around: Do you know these people? They never met a therapy they didn't like."
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- Title
- Skyrocket
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
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This cartoon shows two people outside looking up at a star-filled night sky as they see something bright streaking up and across it. One person points to it and asks, "What's that?" The other person calmly says, "Oh, that's skyrocketing use of special education paraprofessionals." The tag line...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two people outside looking up at a star-filled night sky as they see something bright streaking up and across it. One person points to it and asks, "What's that?" The other person calmly says, "Oh, that's skyrocketing use of special education paraprofessionals." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Out of Sight!"
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- Title
- Slumberville
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a group of 5 people sitting in front of an audience at a curved table. The sign on the front of the table is labeled, "Slumberville School Board." The man on the far left side of the table says, "We need staff who can make decisions and accommodations on the spot for students...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a group of 5 people sitting in front of an audience at a curved table. The sign on the front of the table is labeled, "Slumberville School Board." The man on the far left side of the table says, "We need staff who can make decisions and accommodations on the spot for students with disabilities in regular classes." The woman next to him says, "...and they have to be adept at dealing with challenging behaviors." The man in the center says, "And they must be proficient in teaching core academics." The woman on his other side says, "...and life skills too!." The woman on the far right says, "...and we hope to accomplish this by hiring a small army of untrained paraprofessionals at $7.00 dollars and hour." The tag line reads, "If you need staff with the skills of teachers and special educators, maybe you need to hire teachers and special educators."
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- Title
- Snailville
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows two giant snails sitting in chairs at a table with paperwork in front of each of them. The first snail says, "Those inclusive education radicals want everything yesterday. What do they expect?!" The second snail says, "I know what you mean, we've only had LRE provisions in the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two giant snails sitting in chairs at a table with paperwork in front of each of them. The first snail says, "Those inclusive education radicals want everything yesterday. What do they expect?!" The second snail says, "I know what you mean, we've only had LRE provisions in the law since 1975!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Administrators at Snailville School lament the speed of change." A note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Alan Gartner and Dorothy Kerzner Lipsky with help from Melanie Giangreco."
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- Title
- Sometimes numbers do lie
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a detective, wearing a Sherlock Holmes style hat with a listening device pressed against a wall with other end in his ear to listen to what is happening in the adjacent room. Pictured in the other room are two numbers talking to each other. The number 7 says, "No really, 100 +...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a detective, wearing a Sherlock Holmes style hat with a listening device pressed against a wall with other end in his ear to listen to what is happening in the adjacent room. Pictured in the other room are two numbers talking to each other. The number 7 says, "No really, 100 + 34 = 199." Number 2 replies, "I never knew that." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After weeks of undercover work, Fred verifies that sometimes numbers do lie!"
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- Title
- Space Jam / Space Maker
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a school administrator talking on the phone while sitting at his desk looking very relaxed (feet up, leaning back in his chair, glasses up on his head, and drink with a straw). He says to a parent on the phone, "I'm sorry Mrs....
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a school administrator talking on the phone while sitting at his desk looking very relaxed (feet up, leaning back in his chair, glasses up on his head, and drink with a straw). He says to a parent on the phone, "I'm sorry Mrs. Brown, but we simply don't have enough space in our school to accommodate your child with special needs -- but we'll find a place in a nearby district..." The tag line under this top panel reads, "Space Jam." In the bottom panel a colleague says to the administrator, "It looks like we're going to have an extra kindergarten class next fall. Where will we put them?" The administrator is on the move as he says, "We'll figure something out. Put the music class on wheels, art on a cart, and get a portable if necessary." The tag line under this bottom panel reads, "Space Maker."
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- Title
- Speaking Loudly
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a professional educator at a table with three children. She yells, "THAT'S VERY GOOD, ALAN, NOW IT'S JILL'S TURN" so loudly that the force of her voice makes the students' hair blow back as if in a wind storm. The tag line below the cartoon reads, "Ellen thinks speaking loudly...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a professional educator at a table with three children. She yells, "THAT'S VERY GOOD, ALAN, NOW IT'S JILL'S TURN" so loudly that the force of her voice makes the students' hair blow back as if in a wind storm. The tag line below the cartoon reads, "Ellen thinks speaking loudly is a form of specialized instruction."
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- Title
- Special Class Euphemisms
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
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The cartoon shows four panels arranged in a square. Each panel shows a door with a different sign. In the top right frame, a door sign shows two hands reaching out toward each other and reads, "Inclusion Room." The top left panel shows a door decorated with a blue star that reads, "Discovery Room...
Show moreThe cartoon shows four panels arranged in a square. Each panel shows a door with a different sign. In the top right frame, a door sign shows two hands reaching out toward each other and reads, "Inclusion Room." The top left panel shows a door decorated with a blue star that reads, "Discovery Room." The bottom right panel shows a door with sign with a spaceship and stars on it with the sign, "Space Place." The bottom left door has a sign that is shaped like an apple; the sign reads, "Learning Center." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Opening the door on special class euphemisms."
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- Title
- Spin-off Slogans
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon is a panel split into four frames in square pattern. The top right frame is a woman wearing a button on her shirt, the button reads, "What part of 'No' don't you understand?" The tag line for that frame is, "Wide acceptance, short, clear and concise." The frame on the top left shows a...
Show moreThe cartoon is a panel split into four frames in square pattern. The top right frame is a woman wearing a button on her shirt, the button reads, "What part of 'No' don't you understand?" The tag line for that frame is, "Wide acceptance, short, clear and concise." The frame on the top left shows a man with a beard and a blue buttoned shirt. His button reads, "What part of 'All' don't you understand?" The tag line for this frame reads, "Considered too sarcastic by some." The frame on the lower left shows a man in a suit and tie. His button reads, "What part of 'The Budget' don't you understand?" and the tag line reads, "Leads to many questions people can't answer." The lower right frame is a woman doctor and her button reads, "What part of 'Bilateral Derotational Osteotomies' don't you understand?" The tag line for this frame reads, "Requires too large a button." The tag line for the whole cartoon reads, "Why spin-off slogans are never as good as the original."
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- Title
- Spotlight
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer in an office with others. The scene is in low light and there is a spotlight over her work station illuminating it. Above her is says, "Shining a light on...." and just under her is word disability (with the dis in lower case the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer in an office with others. The scene is in low light and there is a spotlight over her work station illuminating it. Above her is says, "Shining a light on...." and just under her is word disability (with the dis in lower case the ability in capital letters). The way the spotlight is positioned it is only shining on ability. When read with the spotlight effect, the message is "Shining a light on ability." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Employment for All." A note of the line side of the cartoon reads, "Inspired by the Vermont APSE: The Network on Employment."
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- Title
- Stair Wars
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
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This cartoon shows a boy at the top of a four-step stairway that goes straight into a wall as he says to his physical therapist. There's nothing here but a wall." His physical therapist is dressed in a Darth Vader costume holding a light sabre as he says, "Now walk back down the stairs!" The tag...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a boy at the top of a four-step stairway that goes straight into a wall as he says to his physical therapist. There's nothing here but a wall." His physical therapist is dressed in a Darth Vader costume holding a light sabre as he says, "Now walk back down the stairs!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "STAIR WARS: Freddie is not amused by his physical therapist's choice of Halloween costume." A note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Norman Kunc."
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- Title
- Standards Protest
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The carton shows people in the foreground picketing with signs that say, "Put your money where your mouth is!" "Students for adult accountability," "Students against revisionist history." "Why, when I was a kid…", "Fairness in standards now!" In the upper left corner of the panel in the...
Show moreThe carton shows people in the foreground picketing with signs that say, "Put your money where your mouth is!" "Students for adult accountability," "Students against revisionist history." "Why, when I was a kid…", "Fairness in standards now!" In the upper left corner of the panel in the background are two men in suits. One man says to the other, "Thank goodness we made it through school before the standards movement!" The tag line reads, "Standards are adjusted after the legislature considers a bill requiring school board members to pass the same assessments given to students."
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- Title
- Student Relocation Program
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting at his desk holding in his hand a pair of Groucho Marx glasses (glasses frames with a funny nose and mustache). There are three kids on the other side of the desk all wearing the Groucho glasses. Mr. Moody says to them, "Congratulations! You are no longer...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody sitting at his desk holding in his hand a pair of Groucho Marx glasses (glasses frames with a funny nose and mustache). There are three kids on the other side of the desk all wearing the Groucho glasses. Mr. Moody says to them, "Congratulations! You are no longer classified disabled. Today you begin a new phase in your life. We don't have enough money for plastic surgery, so we are relocating you to a new school and providing these nifty disguises." The tag line reads, "To address the lingering stigma of disability labeling, Mr. Moody implements the district's new 'Student Relocation Program.'"
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- Title
- Successful Inservice Training
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a room with a number of people at tables for a workshop. There is an overhead projector and screen at the front of the room. A box on the floor is labeled "Yummy Candy." There is a woman talking to the person who will be doing the workshop. She says, "Everything is set for the...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a room with a number of people at tables for a workshop. There is an overhead projector and screen at the front of the room. A box on the floor is labeled "Yummy Candy." There is a woman talking to the person who will be doing the workshop. She says, "Everything is set for the workshop as you requested. But why 50 pounds of candy?" The presenter replies, "Never underestimate the power of chocolate." The tag line reads, "The real key to successful inservice training." A tag line on side of the cartoon reads, "Inspired by my friends in Iceland."
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- Title
- Superwoman
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at her clothes closet and selecting a Superwoman costume (with the classic red S). The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After having successfully taught students with a wide range of characteristics, Ms. Miller decided to adjust her wardrobe to match her teaching confidence."
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- Title
- Supplies
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically. In the top panel a smiling teacher greets a student who is wearing a backpack and says, "Hi Jimmy, welcome to the first day of school. I'm glad you brought your backpack with your supplies." In the second panel the same teacher now with a worried expression on her face greets a student with a disability and her mother who is pulling a long wagon filled high with all kinds of special equipment. The teacher says, "Hi Janie, Welcome to the first day of school. I see you've brought your supplies." Her mother says, "We'll bring the rest tomorrow." The tag line for the cartoon reads, "Mrs. Fine wonders if it is too late to request a larger classroom."
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- Title
- Sustained Silent Breathing
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a group of educators having a meeting around a table. One of the men is saying, "We've identified an objective that will allow Davey to be included in all class activities." to which Mrs. Jones replies, "But this doesn't need to be a goal! He can already do this!" The tag line...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a group of educators having a meeting around a table. One of the men is saying, "We've identified an objective that will allow Davey to be included in all class activities." to which Mrs. Jones replies, "But this doesn't need to be a goal! He can already do this!" The tag line reads, " Mrs. Jones expresses her concern about the objective: 'During a variety of activities, Davey will demonstrate sustained silent breathing 100% of the time.'"
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- Title
- Swinging
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel shows three friends standing at a swing set in the park. One friend says, "There are only two swings, and three of us!" Another of the friends says, "I have an idea!" In the lower panel the three friends have found a way to combine...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels offset stepwise. In the upper panel shows three friends standing at a swing set in the park. One friend says, "There are only two swings, and three of us!" Another of the friends says, "I have an idea!" In the lower panel the three friends have found a way to combine the two swings so all three are swinging as they are all smiling and saying, "WHEEEEE!!" The tag line reads, "Friends apply lessons of creative problem solving to everyday life."
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- Title
- Teacher Shortage
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a woman in a red dress standing in a spotlight with film crew around her. She is holding an apple and a script. In the lower left corner a director is holding a clapboard and saying, "Quiet on the set. Teacher Recruitment - Take 3. ACTION!" The woman says, "I'm not a teacher,...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a woman in a red dress standing in a spotlight with film crew around her. She is holding an apple and a script. In the lower left corner a director is holding a clapboard and saying, "Quiet on the set. Teacher Recruitment - Take 3. ACTION!" The woman says, "I'm not a teacher, but I play one at school, you can too." The tag line reads, "Unemployed actors are recruited to fill the national teacher shortage."
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- Title
- Teaching Old Logs
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody standing outside with an old dog sitting to his left with a ball in it's mouth and a stack of logs in front of him. He has his hand up in the air and is exclaiming "Stay!" directed to the logs. The dog is looking at him with a question mark in a thought bubble above...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody standing outside with an old dog sitting to his left with a ball in it's mouth and a stack of logs in front of him. He has his hand up in the air and is exclaiming "Stay!" directed to the logs. The dog is looking at him with a question mark in a thought bubble above his head. The tag line reads, "Knowing how hard it is to effect meaningful change in people, Mr. Moody decides to work his way up to it by teaching old logs new tricks."
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