Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Virtual “Museum of disABILITY History”

Recently I ran across a web site for The Museum of disABILITY History. This online wing of the Museum of disABILITY History complements their freestanding "bricks and mortar" Museum. They also have traveling exhibits.

The Museum of disABILITY History is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. The Museum's exhibits, collections, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery. It opened in October 2010 and is located in Buffalo, New York.

This virtual museum is packed with historical information, photographs and old documents that provide an in-depth look at how people with disabilities were perceived and treated throughout history. It addresses some of the harsh realities that society has grown through such as eugenics, sterilization, trepanning (letting the evil spirits out of the head was to cut a hole in the skull) and much more.

The bright side of the museum focuses on the advocacy movement and on reformers such as Dorothea Dix, Josephine Shaw Lowell, William Pryor Letchworth, the Kennedys and many more. I encourage you to take some time to browse this site and glean a glimpse of where we have been, where we are and where we still need to go.

http://www.museumofdisability.org/home.asp

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