2023 Mass History Conference

Graham Warder and Ross Newton will share compelling stories of disability history from their work with K-12 and college students–from 19th century schools, asylums, poorhouses, and other institutions, to 20th-century activism that led to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reese Hogan explores the many hidden aspects of disabled experiences in the United States throughout history, highlighting the importance of including these aspects within the general American history curriculum. Presenters will guide session participants in how to discover and share stories of individuals with disabilities from their own collections, communities, and local school groups. Warder and Hogan will introduce Emerging America’s newly developed free curriculum “Reform to Equal Rights,” which features over 200 primary sources, and “How the Civil War Transformed Disability,” an online exhibit on Massachusetts Civil War veterans and nurses.