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
- Area 51
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
Two educators are looking at a map of New Mexico and pointing the Area 51. One person says "But everything's been ready for the new special ed school in Roswell. How can the plans have fallen through? The other person says, "The Air Force beat us to it, Sir. We aren't the only ones looking for...
Show moreTwo educators are looking at a map of New Mexico and pointing the Area 51. One person says "But everything's been ready for the new special ed school in Roswell. How can the plans have fallen through? The other person says, "The Air Force beat us to it, Sir. We aren't the only ones looking for such a remote site." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Little-known Special Education History".
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- Title
- Bill of Goods
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher in the doorway of her classroom looking perplexed. In the hallway speaking to her is a man holding a large poster which says, "1. General Education Teachers can't teach students with disabilities. 2. You only have to be a host. 3. Everybody else is an expert." There...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher in the doorway of her classroom looking perplexed. In the hallway speaking to her is a man holding a large poster which says, "1. General Education Teachers can't teach students with disabilities. 2. You only have to be a host. 3. Everybody else is an expert." There are other items listed that are not readable. The man says to the teacher, "Excuse me Ma'am, you were sold a bill of goods. I am sorry to have to inform you that it has been recalled." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After being sold a bill of goods, Mrs. Martin is surprised to learn it's defective."
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- Title
- Cave School
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
A caveman with a club in his hand is dragging a child by her hair in to a cave which is labeled Cave School for the Hunting and Gathering Impaired. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Recent archeological evidence suggests that special schools have been around longer than once thought."
- Title
- The Eagle Has Landed
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
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Mrs. Snippett is standing by the door, in her classroom, speaking on the phone. There are students at desks in the background. The door is open and a student using a wheelchair enters. He says to her, "Hi. Mrs. Snippett. I'm your new student. Mrs. Snippet has her head turned an her hand shielding...
Show moreMrs. Snippett is standing by the door, in her classroom, speaking on the phone. There are students at desks in the background. The door is open and a student using a wheelchair enters. He says to her, "Hi. Mrs. Snippett. I'm your new student. Mrs. Snippet has her head turned an her hand shielding her mouth. She says into the phone, "The eagle has landed Houston. We have a problem." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "After years of eluding students with disabilities, one finally catches up with Mrs. Snippett.
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- Title
- Educating Roaches
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon is two panels in the top frame of the panel are a man and a woman. The man is a reporter and is interviewing the woman who is holding up a "Not Roaches" sign. He says "And now a commentary from Bertha Snippett." And Bertha says "Who are these 'Inclusive Education' people and why do...
Show moreThe cartoon is two panels in the top frame of the panel are a man and a woman. The man is a reporter and is interviewing the woman who is holding up a "Not Roaches" sign. He says "And now a commentary from Bertha Snippett." And Bertha says "Who are these 'Inclusive Education' people and why do they want to educate supportive roaches? I don't care how supportive the are! Roaches are nasty little bugs and furthermore..." In the lower frame the reporter interrupts and says "Excuse me, it's not "educating supportive roaches." It's "Educationally Supportive Approaches." Mrs. Snippett says, turning red in the face "Oh...never mind." The tag line reads "Inclusion mishap #13: Mrs. Snippett decides it's finally time to have her hearing tested."
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- Title
- Educational Jeopardy
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows the game show Jeopardy. The categories on the wall are "Grumpy People" "Big Battles, Little Battles" "You Did What?" "Can't Get There From Here." At the top of the panel it says "Your Child's in Educational Jeopardy." In the panel the game show host says "Janet, it's your turn."...
Show moreThe cartoon shows the game show Jeopardy. The categories on the wall are "Grumpy People" "Big Battles, Little Battles" "You Did What?" "Can't Get There From Here." At the top of the panel it says "Your Child's in Educational Jeopardy." In the panel the game show host says "Janet, it's your turn." and Janet replies "I'll take Grumpy People for $100" the tag line reads "Parents find new ways to raise money for educationally related legal fees."
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- Title
- Excluses
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows eight panels of the same person saying each of the following statements: "We tried that before.", "I agree philosophically, but…", "It costs to much.", "Our system is too big.", "Our system is too small.", "What we do now is just fine.", "I'm sure it works well in other places,...
Show moreThis cartoon shows eight panels of the same person saying each of the following statements: "We tried that before.", "I agree philosophically, but…", "It costs to much.", "Our system is too big.", "Our system is too small.", "What we do now is just fine.", "I'm sure it works well in other places, but not here.", "It's against my religion.", and "It's not within my authority." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Exclusion + Excuses = Excluses: Common reasons for avoiding inclusive education."
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- Title
- Extending the Continuum
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
A USA rocket is at a launchpad waiting to take off into space. To the right is a building with a walkway leading to the rocket. Individuals with disabilities, some using crutches and wheelchairs are boarding. Someone inside the rocket is saying, "Control, we are T-minus 48 minutes and counting...
Show moreA USA rocket is at a launchpad waiting to take off into space. To the right is a building with a walkway leading to the rocket. Individuals with disabilities, some using crutches and wheelchairs are boarding. Someone inside the rocket is saying, "Control, we are T-minus 48 minutes and counting for blast off to the space station. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Extending the continuum: where will it end?!! The students who misbehaved in a special ed school are transferred to a more restrictive placement."
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- Title
- Falling in the Woods
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a path in the woods with trees all around. There is a person falling backward and all you can see are their feet and a hand. The tag line reads "If a student with a disability falls in the woods, on the grounds of a special education school, and there are no nondisabled peers...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a path in the woods with trees all around. There is a person falling backward and all you can see are their feet and a hand. The tag line reads "If a student with a disability falls in the woods, on the grounds of a special education school, and there are no nondisabled peers there to hear him, does his fall make a sound?"
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- Title
- Flair for the Dramatic
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a mother and child trying to enter a school with a sign on the exterior, "Exclusionville Elementary." The Principal (Mr. Moody) is physically blocking the entrance to the school while saying, "I'm sorry, but you can't bring THAT child in THIS school." The tag line under the...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a mother and child trying to enter a school with a sign on the exterior, "Exclusionville Elementary." The Principal (Mr. Moody) is physically blocking the entrance to the school while saying, "I'm sorry, but you can't bring THAT child in THIS school." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Moody displays his flair for the dramatic."
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- Title
- Foot in the Door
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a child at the door of a class room trying to get in the door he is rapping on the door and has his foot in the door. There is a man trying to close the door from the right side of the panel. There is a word bubble that says "Rap!Rap!Rap!" in it. The tag line reads "Placement of...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a child at the door of a class room trying to get in the door he is rapping on the door and has his foot in the door. There is a man trying to close the door from the right side of the panel. There is a word bubble that says "Rap!Rap!Rap!" in it. The tag line reads "Placement of a child with a disability in a General Education classroom is not enough to be included, it's just a foot in the door."
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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
- 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
- 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
- Lobsterville
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
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
- Lunacy
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows the full moon with stars in the dark sky and a dog sitting on the top of a hill howling at the moon. There is a building with a group of people that you can see through a window sitting around a table having a meeting. Someone in the room says "Are we in agreement? In order to...
Show moreThe cartoon shows the full moon with stars in the dark sky and a dog sitting on the top of a hill howling at the moon. There is a building with a group of people that you can see through a window sitting around a table having a meeting. Someone in the room says "Are we in agreement? In order to teach our students with disabilities to function in our community we should send them away to learn some place else." The tag line reads "Lunacy!? After several bad experiences with the lunar cycle, school officials decide not to hold any more meetings during the full moon."
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- Title
- Misdemeanor Middle School
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
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
- A New Twist on School Bussing
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
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
- 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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