A Reflection on the History of Treating Disabilities in America
Our previous class session focused on the history of treating disabilities in America. This was a very sensitive and emotional topic of conversation. We began the class session by watching the 1968 documentary " Suffer the Little Children ." This eye-opening film showed direct footage from the Pennhurst institution. Pennhurst was a facility for people of all ages with all kinds of impairments– physical and mental. This specific institution operated before any regulations were enforced to keep this part of the population safe. Rooms were overcrowded and unclean, and the staff was not trained to provide adequate care. As a result, thousands of people suffered from social neglect and various forms of abuse. Throughout the 1960's and previous decades, people with disabilities were viewed as taboo and a nuisance to society. Once placed in an institution, this population was shut off from their families and the rest of the public. As a result, the...