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
(81 - 100 of 341)
Pages
- Title
- Don't Take the Bait! (trap host)
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows five mouse traps. Each trap has a different label where the bait would be placed: (a) "In regular class 2 hours per day," (b) "Separated in the classroom," (c) "Teacher as host only" and this one has a person's finger getting snapped in the trap, (d) "Everything is special," and...
Show moreThe cartoon shows five mouse traps. Each trap has a different label where the bait would be placed: (a) "In regular class 2 hours per day," (b) "Separated in the classroom," (c) "Teacher as host only" and this one has a person's finger getting snapped in the trap, (d) "Everything is special," and (e) "Paraprofessional is really in charge." The tag line reads, "Avoid the traps of quasi-inclusion: Don't take the bait!"
Show less
- Title
- Double Standard #5
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two men and a woman sitting around a table talking. The first man in the lower left corner of the panel says, "Fred can't stay in the regular classroom because he disrupts students' learning." The woman says, "So we've decided to recommend placement in a special class." The man...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two men and a woman sitting around a table talking. The first man in the lower left corner of the panel says, "Fred can't stay in the regular classroom because he disrupts students' learning." The woman says, "So we've decided to recommend placement in a special class." The man on the right side of the panel replies, "So is that designed to solve the problem or just move it?" The tag line reads, "Double Standard #5: If it's not ok to disrupt the education of students without disabilities, why is it OK to disrupt the education of students with disabilities?"
Show less
- Title
- Dress Code
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows Mr. Moody dressed in a white suit from the 70's (he is in a classic pose like John Travolta in the Saturday Night Fever). He is dancing and a disco ball spinning colors reflecting around the room. The tag line reads, "Dress Code: Mr. Moody enacts a new policy: 'All faculty shall...
Show moreThe cartoon shows Mr. Moody dressed in a white suit from the 70's (he is in a classic pose like John Travolta in the Saturday Night Fever). He is dancing and a disco ball spinning colors reflecting around the room. The tag line reads, "Dress Code: Mr. Moody enacts a new policy: 'All faculty shall wear clothing consistent with the era that matches their educational practices.'"
Show less
- Title
- Dry Heat
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a large group of people sitting around a table all talking at once. One person looks to the guy beside him and says "Is it me, or is there a lot of hot air in this room?" The guy responds "Yes, but it's a dry heat." The tag line reads "Alan always looks for the positive in every...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a large group of people sitting around a table all talking at once. One person looks to the guy beside him and says "Is it me, or is there a lot of hot air in this room?" The guy responds "Yes, but it's a dry heat." The tag line reads "Alan always looks for the positive in every situation."
Show less
- Title
- Duck!
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon is two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a teacher talking to a professor. Above the teacher's heads is a thought bubble that shows an aggressive student trying to punch the teacher. The teacher says, "Yo, Doc! What intervention should I use when one of the guys loses it...
Show moreThe cartoon is two panels stacked vertically. The top panel shows a teacher talking to a professor. Above the teacher's heads is a thought bubble that shows an aggressive student trying to punch the teacher. The teacher says, "Yo, Doc! What intervention should I use when one of the guys loses it and tries to punch me in the head?" In the lower panel it shows the professor with a thought bubble above his head. It shows the teacher ducking and the a guy throwing a punch that misses his head. The professor says, "My expert opinion would be to duck!" The tag line reads, "Experts get big bucks for consultation to remind folks that 'Intervention' can be effective only before a crisis occurs." The tag line on the left side reads, "Inspired by Ted Carr."
Show less
- Title
- The Eagle Has Landed
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
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.
Show less
- Title
- Eating His Hat
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a man salting his hat and eating it. The tag line reads "Roy makes good on his promise to eat his hat when students with severe disabilities are successfully included in General Education classes."
- 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."
Show less
- 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."
Show less
- Title
- Elevating Vagueness to an Art Form
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows two special educators having a conversation. The first says, "Don't you think this goal is a bit vague? Mark will improve communication skills?" The second person says, "No. That way it can mean whatever you want it to and we'll never have to change the IEP -- I've used that...
Show moreThis cartoon shows two special educators having a conversation. The first says, "Don't you think this goal is a bit vague? Mark will improve communication skills?" The second person says, "No. That way it can mean whatever you want it to and we'll never have to change the IEP -- I've used that goal for Mark for the last five years!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Frank elevates vagueness to an art form."
Show less
- Title
- Endangered Species
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoons shows two people in the foreground with binoculars (like bird watchers) looking at a group of people in the background. One of the two people says, "Look over there! A well-functioning team!" The second person says, "Isn't it beautiful?" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Herb...
Show moreThis cartoons shows two people in the foreground with binoculars (like bird watchers) looking at a group of people in the background. One of the two people says, "Look over there! A well-functioning team!" The second person says, "Isn't it beautiful?" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Herb and Sally add the elusive collaborative team to their life list of rare and endangered species."
Show less
- Title
- English Literature
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher in front of two high school students seated in wheelchairs with lap trays. The teacher says, "Welcome to 11th grade English Literature!" One student says to the other, "Pay up George!" His classmate says, "Alright, you win. But I can't believe we're through with...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher in front of two high school students seated in wheelchairs with lap trays. The teacher says, "Welcome to 11th grade English Literature!" One student says to the other, "Pay up George!" His classmate says, "Alright, you win. But I can't believe we're through with nursery rhymes!" The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Special Education students turn to gambling to avoid the boredom of age-inappropriate activities."
Show less
- Title
- Escape Attempts
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon shows a teacher at the chalkboard in front of a full class at individual desks arranged in U. The teacher says, "Class... Today we will continue our unit on the rain forest." A student with a disability and his one-to-one paraprofessional, who is standing immediately behind him, are...
Show moreThis cartoon shows a teacher at the chalkboard in front of a full class at individual desks arranged in U. The teacher says, "Class... Today we will continue our unit on the rain forest." A student with a disability and his one-to-one paraprofessional, who is standing immediately behind him, are positioned just a couple steps from the door to the hallway. The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Fred's instructional assistant makes sure she and Fred are positioned close to an exit to make any escape attempts less conspicuous."
Show less
- Title
- Everyone is Included
- Date Created
- 1998
- Description
-
This cartoon has two panels stacked vertically and offset in a stepwise manner. The scenes in both frames are identical, a parent seated in a chair with a piece of paper in her hand speaking with a school principal who is seated behind a desk. In the first frame the parent asks, "In your school...
Show moreThis cartoon has two panels stacked vertically and offset in a stepwise manner. The scenes in both frames are identical, a parent seated in a chair with a piece of paper in her hand speaking with a school principal who is seated behind a desk. In the first frame the parent asks, "In your school do you have inclusive students? Inclusion facilitators? Inclusion classrooms? Inclusion programs?" The principal replies, "No." In the second frame the parent asks, "Why not?" and the principal replies, "Because everyone's included." The tag line under the cartoon reads, "Inclusive Education becomes a moot point."
Show less
- 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."
Show less
- 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."
Show less
- Title
- Extreme Team & Dream Team
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows two panels. The top panel is a group of educators sitting around a table with papers and pens in front of each person. A mans says, "Are we all here?" A woman at the table says, "Where do my goals go?" The man next to her says, "Are we ready to staple our parts together?" And...
Show moreThe cartoon shows two panels. The top panel is a group of educators sitting around a table with papers and pens in front of each person. A mans says, "Are we all here?" A woman at the table says, "Where do my goals go?" The man next to her says, "Are we ready to staple our parts together?" And then another woman at the table says, "Who's going to tell the parents what we decided?" The tag line for the top panel says, "Extreme Team." The lower panel has four people sitting at a table together. Each person has a piece of paper and a pen as well as pizza and drinks. One woman says, "Are we agreed on these common goals?" The man next to her says, "At our next meeting, let's continue with our adaptation planning." The next woman says, "Let's wrap it up by reviewing accomplishments and processing. Joan, thanks for bringing snacks!" The man next to her says, "I'll share this with the rest of my family!" The tag line for this panel reads "Dream Team."
Show less
- Title
- Eyes in the Back of the Head
- Date Created
- 1999
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a teacher writing on the blackboard in front of a class full of students. One of the students in the front row is making a goofy face at the rest of the class. Without looking behind her, the teacher says, "I saw that." The tag line reads "Students conduct a scientifically...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a teacher writing on the blackboard in front of a class full of students. One of the students in the front row is making a goofy face at the rest of the class. Without looking behind her, the teacher says, "I saw that." The tag line reads "Students conduct a scientifically controlled experiment to verify that teachers really do have eyes in the back of their heads."
Show less
- 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?"
Show less
- Title
- Falling Through the Cracks
- Date Created
- 2000
- Description
-
The cartoon shows a bridge in the sky. There are boards missing across the bridge and the ones that are there have "Standards" written on them. There are children trying to cross the bridge. Some are easily able to get across, some are struggling to hang on, and some are falling through the...
Show moreThe cartoon shows a bridge in the sky. There are boards missing across the bridge and the ones that are there have "Standards" written on them. There are children trying to cross the bridge. Some are easily able to get across, some are struggling to hang on, and some are falling through the cracks between the boards. The tag line reads, "How many students are falling through the cracks?"
Show less