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.
Show less
(61 - 80 of 341)
Pages
- Title
- Corporate Sponsorship
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two people one in a wheelchair and one pushing the wheelchair wearing a sandwich board. On the sandwich board it says "Edna's House of Thimbles" The tag line reads "In an effort to cut the costs of special education, Central High School pursues corporate sponsorship for each of...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two people one in a wheelchair and one pushing the wheelchair wearing a sandwich board. On the sandwich board it says "Edna's House of Thimbles" The tag line reads "In an effort to cut the costs of special education, Central High School pursues corporate sponsorship for each of its staff."
Show less
- Title
- Counter Intelligence
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a diner counter with a waitress behind the counter serving a man some coffee. The man sitting at the counter says, "Is the rumor true that the new guy who works here has a low IQ?" The waitress replies, "I don't know and it doesn't really matter. IQ doesn't tell you anything...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a diner counter with a waitress behind the counter serving a man some coffee. The man sitting at the counter says, "Is the rumor true that the new guy who works here has a low IQ?" The waitress replies, "I don't know and it doesn't really matter. IQ doesn't tell you anything about who a person is. I know him. He's a good worker and a great guy." The tag line reads, "Counter Intelligence."
Show less
- Title
- Crazy Like a Fox
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man holding a coffee cup and a clip board talking to a female fox. The man says "Are you crazy? Why do you keep requesting that students with disabilities be placed in your class?" The fox responds "Well, I enjoy the students, I learn a lot. Overall, it's helped me become a...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a man holding a coffee cup and a clip board talking to a female fox. The man says "Are you crazy? Why do you keep requesting that students with disabilities be placed in your class?" The fox responds "Well, I enjoy the students, I learn a lot. Overall, it's helped me become a better teacher for all my students." The tag line reads "Crazy Like a Fox."
Show less
- Title
- Crocodile
- Date Created
- 2007
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two people, one being a paraprofessional and the other a colleague, walking down a stone-lined path toward the water's edge. As they approach the water the white stones lining the path turn into teeth and the path turns into a tongue as the two walk into a wide open mouth of a...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two people, one being a paraprofessional and the other a colleague, walking down a stone-lined path toward the water's edge. As they approach the water the white stones lining the path turn into teeth and the path turns into a tongue as the two walk into a wide open mouth of a giant crocodile. The paraprofessional, with trepidation on her face says, "After such a brief training, am I really ready?" Her colleague assures her, "No worries. You've just completed our basic parapro training -- you're good to go!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Beware of the training trap, you could be eaten alive!"
Show less
- Title
- Crucial Test
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a scene inside the offices of the Acme Lie Detectors Service. Two men sitting at a table across from each other. One of the men is attached to a lie detector machine which is recoding his responses -- he has wires attached to his arm, is holding a glass of water, and looking...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a scene inside the offices of the Acme Lie Detectors Service. Two men sitting at a table across from each other. One of the men is attached to a lie detector machine which is recoding his responses -- he has wires attached to his arm, is holding a glass of water, and looking nervous. The tester from the agency in a lab coat is looking at a monitor and writing something on the display. He asks, "Do you like Children?" The tag line reads, "Prospective teachers of the future will need to pass this crucial test." A tag line on the left reads, "Inspired by Eileen Cichosky Kelly."
Show less
- Title
- Crystal Ball
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a Gypsy wearing a turban looking into a crystal ball. The Gypsy says "I see two sessions of PT, OT, and Speech Therapy weekly." The tag line reads, "The district's experimental method for determining related services works just as well as making those decisions before knowing...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a Gypsy wearing a turban looking into a crystal ball. The Gypsy says "I see two sessions of PT, OT, and Speech Therapy weekly." The tag line reads, "The district's experimental method for determining related services works just as well as making those decisions before knowing student's IEP goals and other learning outcomes."
Show less
- Title
- Cut and Dried
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a special educator outside on a rural property hanging up laundry on a clothes line. He is using clothes pins to hang up three long strips; each one has one letter on it, I-E-P. The tag line under the cartoon reads, " The most recent computerized IEPs are too cut and dried."
- Title
- Dart Board
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two men in front of a dart board. On the dart board there are 6 sections, there are pieces of paper tacked in each section. The papers say in clockwise order, River Rd, Central High, West Middle, Grand Ave, Main Street, and East Middle The Man in the lower left corner of the...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two men in front of a dart board. On the dart board there are 6 sections, there are pieces of paper tacked in each section. The papers say in clockwise order, River Rd, Central High, West Middle, Grand Ave, Main Street, and East Middle The Man in the lower left corner of the panel reads from a list in his hand and says, "Next is April Baker, occupational therapist. Where will we assign her next year?" The man in the lower right corner has a blindfold on and is holding a dart in his right hand ready to throw it at the dart board. He says, "Let's find out!" The tag line reads "Parents finally discover why their children seem to have new support staff every year."
Show less
- Title
- Desperate Measures
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a panel with a banner at the top that says, "Math Standards" bordered on the top and bottom with a variety of math symbols. On the left of the panel is a ruler saying, "So, you're willing to do whatever it takes to meet the standards?" Next to the ruler at the bottom middle of...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a panel with a banner at the top that says, "Math Standards" bordered on the top and bottom with a variety of math symbols. On the left of the panel is a ruler saying, "So, you're willing to do whatever it takes to meet the standards?" Next to the ruler at the bottom middle of the panel is a measuring cup who is saying, "Just name it we'll do it." and on the right side of the panel is a set square saying, "Please, we'll do anything you say." The tag line reads, "Desperate Measures."
Show less
- Title
- Devil's Advocate
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows four people seated at round table for a meeting; two are parents who have a child with a disability, the school principal, and the devil (shown as all in red, with horns, wearing a cape, and holding a pitchfork). The principal is sitting next to the devil with hand on his back...
Show moreThis cartoon shows four people seated at round table for a meeting; two are parents who have a child with a disability, the school principal, and the devil (shown as all in red, with horns, wearing a cape, and holding a pitchfork). The principal is sitting next to the devil with hand on his back while saying, "Mr. & Mrs. Grey, I'd like you to meet Lu." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Principal Moody introduces the school district's new advocate to defend exclusion."
Show less
- Title
- Diagnosis Du Jour
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a restaurant host standing inside the entrance holding a menu in one hand with a white towel draped over his other arm while saying, "These are our specials... " Next to him is self-standing sandwich board labeled, "Today's Specials." The first three listed specials (LD, EBD,...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a restaurant host standing inside the entrance holding a menu in one hand with a white towel draped over his other arm while saying, "These are our specials... " Next to him is self-standing sandwich board labeled, "Today's Specials." The first three listed specials (LD, EBD, ADHD) are all crossed out and marked "Sold Out." The last item on the list is Autism -- it's the only one not sold out. The tag line reads, "Diagnosis Du Jour."
Show less
- Title
- Dick, Jane and Spot
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon has two people in the panel. The man on the right side of the panel is saying, "We need to avoid our mistakes of the past and teach kids the 'Classics.'" The person in the right side of the panel says, "Right! I still fondly remember 'See Dick. See Jane. See Spot. Run Spot Run!'" The...
Show moreThe cartoon has two people in the panel. The man on the right side of the panel is saying, "We need to avoid our mistakes of the past and teach kids the 'Classics.'" The person in the right side of the panel says, "Right! I still fondly remember 'See Dick. See Jane. See Spot. Run Spot Run!'" The tag line reads "Literature in literacy an entire generation grew up thinking Dick, Jane, and Spot were significant literary characters."
Show less
- Title
- Dictionary of Special Ed Jargon
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a father sitting in an overstuffed arm chair with lamp on next to him while he reads a book titled, "Dictionary of Special Education Jargon." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Mr. Green prepares for his child's IEP meeting."
- Title
- Dieting
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man in a wheelchair and a woman with crutches talking on a corner at an intersection next to a street sign. One sign says "Diet Lane" and the other sign says "Rehab Way." The woman says to the man, "I tell all my friends with disabilities, "Never get therapy from a P.T. on a...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a man in a wheelchair and a woman with crutches talking on a corner at an intersection next to a street sign. One sign says "Diet Lane" and the other sign says "Rehab Way." The woman says to the man, "I tell all my friends with disabilities, "Never get therapy from a P.T. on a diet." The man replies, "You're right! If she doesn't like her own body, she sure won't like ours!" The tag lines reads "The intersection where dieting and rehabilitation meet."
Show less
- Title
- Difference Between Disciplines
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a room with two men playing with balls. One man is playing with large balls and one man is looking at smaller balls. In the foreground of the panel are two educators, a woman and a man. The woman says to the man, "Tell me again, what is the difference between P.T.s and O.T.s?...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a room with two men playing with balls. One man is playing with large balls and one man is looking at smaller balls. In the foreground of the panel are two educators, a woman and a man. The woman says to the man, "Tell me again, what is the difference between P.T.s and O.T.s? The man says "P.T.s have bigger balls." The tag line reads "Sylvia continually struggles to understand the differences between the disciplines."
Show less
- Title
- Different Values and Eras
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two men. The man on the left is dressed in colonial era clothing waving a wooden ruler. He says, "That student needs a trip to the woodshed!" The man on the right has long hair is wearing paisley shirt with bell bottom pants and is holding his fingers in a peace sign. He says, ...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two men. The man on the left is dressed in colonial era clothing waving a wooden ruler. He says, "That student needs a trip to the woodshed!" The man on the right has long hair is wearing paisley shirt with bell bottom pants and is holding his fingers in a peace sign. He says, "Chill man, we need to do something nonviolent." The tag line reads, "School staff find it challenging to develop a coherent behavior plan when their practices are reflective of different values and eras."
Show less
- Title
- Do As I Say
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a full classroom of university students with a professor at the front of the class. A student asks, "Professor, I know you said we should be merging Regular Ed and Special Ed into one unified system. Can you explain how you pulled it off at the University level?" The professor...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a full classroom of university students with a professor at the front of the class. A student asks, "Professor, I know you said we should be merging Regular Ed and Special Ed into one unified system. Can you explain how you pulled it off at the University level?" The professor responds "Well, it's very challenging. We haven't actually been able to get the two sides to fully cooperate. But don't let our shortcomings hold you back." The tag line reads, "Do As I Say! Not As I Do!"
Show less
- Title
- Doing it Wrong Doesn't Make it Wrong
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two school colleagues conversing. The one seated behind the desk says, "We placed Jason in a regular class part of the time, we assigned a full-time aide, and we even did therapy in the back of the classroom. He still can't do the same work as the other kids... Inclusion isn't...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two school colleagues conversing. The one seated behind the desk says, "We placed Jason in a regular class part of the time, we assigned a full-time aide, and we even did therapy in the back of the classroom. He still can't do the same work as the other kids... Inclusion isn't right for everyone." His colleague shakes his head in disbelief and replies, "You STILL don't get it!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusive Education: Doing it wrong doesn't make it wrong." The note on the side indicates, "Inspired by Michael Hock."
Show less
- Title
- Don't Be Seduced
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a Mermaid relaxing on rocks in the ocean with wrecked ships all around the rocks. There is a man in a row boat paddling toward the rocks and the Mermaid is saying, "Come this way! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3…" The man replies, "Oh that sounds so good!" The tag line reads, "Don't be...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a Mermaid relaxing on rocks in the ocean with wrecked ships all around the rocks. There is a man in a row boat paddling toward the rocks and the Mermaid is saying, "Come this way! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3…" The man replies, "Oh that sounds so good!" The tag line reads, "Don't be seduced! Just because it looks good at first glance doesn't mean it's the right solution."
Show less
- Title
- Don't Miss the Boat
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a boat filled with people leaving the dock. The name on the side is "SS Inclusion" There is a young man trying to step from the dock to the boat as it speeds away and looks as if he will fall in the water. The tag line reads, "Don’t miss the boat!"