Disability Rights and Disability Awareness
In 1876, the Lake County Home opened to serve people who were were poor and indigent. However, families who were unable to care for members who had mental illness or physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities often turned to the home since few other options were available in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Individuals with severe mental retardation and mental illness were locked in cells and viewed by many as burdens with little or nothing to offer society. State and county run institutions ultimately gave way to group homes and other options for more independent living. Yet the struggle for equal access, equal treatment, and equal opportunities for people with special needs continues. In this lesson, students will compare the rights afforded to people with special needs in the past and present.
Board Notes
Willowbrook |
The Capital Crawl |