Disability, Race, Class, and Gender: How Willowbrook School Failed Us

Explore the harrowing history of Willowbrook State School in our in-depth workshop. Far from a nurturing environment, Willowbrook was notorious for its overcrowding, underfunding, and severe understaffing, leading to deplorable conditions where basic care was a luxury. With fewer than 20% of children receiving any form of education, the majority of residents were subjected to neglect and a lack of mental stimulation. Unbeknownst to many parents, their consent for admittance often doubled as approval for their children to be used in unethical medical experiments funded by the Defense Department, as later condemned by vaccinologist Maurice Hilleman.

Within this closed-off 375-acre compound, an underground society emerged where employees traded in contraband and where violence and crime were rampant. The institution's environment bred disease, abuse, and extreme neglect, contributing to the tragic loss of thousands of residents between 1950 and 1980.

Despite Willowbrook's maximum capacity of 4,000, it housed over 6,000 residents by 1965, making it the largest state-run institution for the developmentally disabled in the U.S. Efforts to expose and combat the inhumane conditions were led by courageous individuals such as Dr. Michael Wilkins and Dr. William Bronston, who risked their careers to advocate for the residents. Their work, alongside Geraldo Rivera's groundbreaking exposé, culminated in the 1975 Willowbrook Consent Decree, which mandated significant improvements and eventually led to the institution's closure in 1987.

This workshop delves into the resilience of those who fought for justice and the ongoing fight for disability rights, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding the dignity and well-being of society's most vulnerable members.

Free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the community.

Accessibility Information:

• Captioning provided

If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please call Shanelle Harris at 848-932-5431 or email sh1327@ssw.rutgers.edu in advance of your participation.