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Erika Steuterman visited the Indiana State Archive in 2013, as a way to face the difficult memories of visiting her older brother at Central State Hospital (Indianapolis) in the 1960s and 1970s. In this video, Erika shares some of those memories, and…

“The mistreatment, people encouraged to mistreat each other,” explains Paul Shankland of his time as an activity therapy aide at Fort Wayne State Hospital from 1964 to 1971. In reflecting back on what he witnessed, Paul shares a story about a…

Muriel LaDuke's third child, Tim, was born in New Albany, Indiana with physical disabilities. A few months after his birth in 1959, a doctor told her not to bother teaching Tim to do anything. When Tim was about five, doctors suggested Muscatatuck.…

“I have a servant's mentality… so what do I do? Well, now my focus is on helping families with young children with disabilities and as they go up through the school system, how do you get supports after age 22.” Erika Steuterman has two daughters…

Dee Ann Hart discusses her educational opportunities in the late 1960s and the impact her decision to attend the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired had on her and her family. She attended the school for 14 years, entering in 1969.

"What do they mean, us kind of people?" Darcus wanted to learn math skills. She wanted to learn how to type. Unfortunately, her teachers would tell her those skills were for "regular" people. When Darcus turned 18, no one asked her what she wanted to…

Beverly Rackley's mother said, "You can take those papers and tear them up, or I will tear them up in front of you." In this video, Beverly shares stories of her mother's advocacy on her behalf during her childhood, and discusses how, over the years,…