Disability Institutionalization in the United States Gallery

Co-curated by Brenda Brueggemann and Hannah Dang

This gallery features student projects from the University of Connecticut course Disability in American Literature and Culture (AMST/ENGL 2274W). As a culminating assignment, students created infographic-style posters exploring specific topics under the broader theme of disability and institutionalization in the United States.

Originally displayed as a part of the UConn Humanities Institute Medical Humanities event, The “Haunting” Legacy of the Mansfield Training School, these projects examine a wide range of topics, including disability identities, institutions, education, family experiences, public policy, and community life.

General Timeline

These posters provide broad historical perspectives on disability history and institutionalization. Through timelines and historical overviews, students trace major developments in disability policy, mental health treatment, and educational accessibility.

Timeline poster titled “Snapshots of Disability History in the United States” by Shreekar Viswanatha. The slide covers disability history from pre-1492 through 1865, discussing Indigenous understandings of disability, the effects of European colonization, the spread of disease, changing attitudes during the colonial period, and early institutionalization. Images include a peace symbol, a Mesoamerican illustration depicting people affected by smallpox, and a decorative camera icon.
Timeline poster titled “Snapshots of Disability History in the United States” by Shreekar Viswanatha. The slide covers disability history from 1865 to the present, including Civil War veterans and prosthetic technology, economic challenges faced by disabled people during the early twentieth century, eugenics and institutionalization during the Progressive Era, and the disability rights movement. Images include a nineteenth-century prosthetic leg patent, a Civil War veteran using prosthetic arms, a disability rights protest march, and a decorative camera icon.

Snapshots of Disability History in the US by Shreekar Viswanatha

Timeline poster titled “The Institute of Living: Connecticut’s History of Mental Health Treatment” by Oliver Przech. The timeline traces the history of the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, from its founding in 1824 by Eli Todd as the Connecticut Retreat for the Insane through major developments in treatment approaches, renaming and expansion of the institution, the introduction of professional rehabilitation programs, its merger with Hartford Hospital in 1994, and its 200th anniversary in 2024. Images include a portrait of Eli Todd, historic photographs of patients and staff, postcards and photographs of the Institute of Living campus, and archival illustrations accompanying the timeline.

The Institute of Living: Connecticut’s History of Mental Health Treatment by Oliver Przech

Education

These posters focus on educational opportunities and barriers experienced by disabled individuals. Students highlight the importance of accessible learning environments and the historical development of disability education.

Poster titled “Disability Institutionalization: Accessibility in Connecticut Educational Institutions” by Fizza Hussain. The poster examines how accessibility for disabled students in Connecticut colleges and universities has changed over time. Sections discuss historical barriers to educational access, disability rights legislation such as the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, advocacy by disability rights activist Phyllis Zlotnick, changing perspectives on disability in higher education, and current accessibility services at Connecticut colleges and universities. The poster includes a photograph of disability rights advocates, university logos, a QR code, and decorative graphics on a purple background.

Disability Institutionalization: Accessibility in CT Educational Institutions by Fizza Hussain

Poster titled “American School for the Deaf: The First School for the Deaf in the United States” by Matthew Kylin. The poster explores the history of the American School for the Deaf in Connecticut, including the founding of deaf education in the United States by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, the school’s language policies supporting both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, the role of residential schools in Deaf culture, and educational programs offered by the school. The poster features the American School for the Deaf logo and informational sections describing the institution’s history, educational philosophy, and services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

American School for the Deaf: The First School for the Deaf in the US by Matthew Kylin

Accessibility

Accessibility is a central theme throughout disability history. This poster examines efforts to create inclusive educational spaces and communities where disabled individuals could thrive and develop a sense of belonging.

Poster about the Louisiana School for the Deaf that explores how residential deaf education can foster inclusion, community, and positive institutional experiences. Sections describe the school’s history, its use of American Sign Language (ASL), the role of athletic director Denton Mallis, and the school’s appearance on the television series Queer Eye. The poster highlights themes of accessibility, belonging, and Deaf culture, with photographs of the school, students, staff, Denton Mallis, and the Queer Eye cast, alongside ASL hand-sign illustrations and decorative graphics.

Louisiana School for the Deaf Institutionalization by Jessica Smith


Disabled Indigenous Community

This poster explore the intersections of disability, indigeneity, and institutionalization. It examines the impacts of colonization, discrimination, and cultural erasure on Indigenous disabled communities.

Infographic titled "Colonial Confinement: Disability and Institutionalization of Indigenous People" by Claire Murphy. The poster examines Indigenous perspectives on disability, the role of colonization in institutionalizing Indigenous people, and the history of the Canton Asylum for Insane Indians in South Dakota. Sections include explanations of disability in Indigenous cultures, the impact of federal policies and land dispossession, a case study of the Canton Asylum, historical photographs, a newspaper clipping, a cemetery memorial image, and a QR code linking to additional resources.

Colonial Confinement: Disability and Institutionalization of Indigenous People by Claire Murphy

Disabled Black American Community

This poster examines the experiences of Black disabled individuals within institutional systems and highlights the ways racism and ableism intersected throughout disability history.

Poster about anti-Black racism in disability institutionalization, focusing on Junius Wilson, a Black Deaf man who was wrongly accused of rape and confined to a psychiatric institution. Includes historical excerpts, photographs, images of the North Carolina Insane Asylum, and QR codes linking to audio content.


Anti-Blackness in Disability Institutionalization by Danielle N.

Personal Family Connections

These posters incorporate personal narratives and family experiences to illustrate how institutionalization affected both disabled individuals and their loved ones.

Pink poster explaining the concept of institutional autism and behaviors associated with long-term institutionalization. Features a definition, examples of behaviors, personal narratives about Adele and psychiatric hospitalization, family photographs, and QR codes for additional stories.

What is Institutional Autism? by Alexandra Papas

Poster discussing options and challenges faced by disabled young adults after leaving public school. Highlights programs such as TransitionCT, barriers to accessibility and affordability, a documentary about adulthood and autism, and includes a QR code linking to additional media.

The Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with Disabilities: Options and Difficulties by Sarah Nowacki

Poster examining how disability institutionalization affected families through the story of Adele, who was sent to Willowbrook State School. Includes family photographs, quotations about lack of support systems, and reflections on parental decision-making and institutional care.

Hindsight is 2020: The Impact of Institutionalization on Family Members by Robyn Ampadu

Treatment of Children

The following posters examine the treatment of disabled children within institutions and the long-term consequences of institutionalization. The topics include restraints, educational practices, family separation, and childhood trauma.

Black and red poster exploring the use of restraints in disability institutions. Features images of restraint devices, explanations of physical, chemical, and environmental restraints, discussion of punishment and control, and analysis of the long-term effects of restraint practices.

Examining the Roles of Restraint in U.S. Disability Institutionalization by Ayla Fauler

Poster describing the history and controversies surrounding Connecticut’s Institute of Living. Includes patient complaints, historical information, discussion of institutional practices, archival photographs, and a QR code linking to a personal story.

Treatment of Children With Disabilities in Connecticut’s Institute of Living by Aleena Fiazuddin

Poster analyzing how institutionalization shaped health outcomes, power relationships, and vulnerability among people with disabilities. Includes excerpts from government reports and books about Willowbrook, historical documents, photographs, and commentary on abuse and systemic failures.

US Disability Institutionalization: Exploring Vulnerability, Power Dynamics, and Health Outcomes by Jaylee Cox

Historical Figures and Events

These posters introduce important individuals whose lives and work shaped disability history. From activists and educators to athletes and community leaders, these figures contributed to broader conversations about disability rights, education, and inclusion.

Poster highlighting disability rights activist Ed Roberts and the Independent Living Movement. Covers his early life with polio, advocacy work, creation of the first Center for Independent Living, legacy in disability rights, and includes photographs and QR codes to related resources.

Ed Roberts and the Independent Living Movement by Lilian Vito

Poster examining the relationship between Mansfield Training School and the Special Olympics movement in Connecticut. Features a historic photograph of Eunice Kennedy Shriver presenting an award, discussion of Unified Sports, archival newspaper clippings, and historical context.

Connecticut’s History in Special Olympics by Isabella Helgeson

Poster about disability and the American Civil War, discussing injuries, prosthetics, phantom pain, addiction to opium, and changing perceptions of disability. Includes historical text, a portrait of Emily Dickinson, and her poem “It Feels A Shame To Be Alive.”

Impact on Disabled Soldiers by Hannah Dang

Historical Local Places

This poster focuses on programs in Connecticut that are connected to disability history and community development.

Poster describing the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman. Highlights programs for children with serious illnesses, positive impacts on campers and families, photographs of camp activities, and information about funding and outreach programs.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp by Ryan Frier