STATEN ISLAND — It’s the Year of Willowbrook at the College of Staten Island, a 204-acre campus surrounded by a park-like landscape located on the former site of Willowbrook State
My younger brother Fred, labeled as intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD), was sent in 1956 to the Willowbrook State School, where he resided for 16 years. Had that infamous institution never been shut down, Fred would not be the person he is today: writing poetry, curiously asking how radio waves come out of speakers, and understanding that his vote counts.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. â SUNY Empire State College, in partnership with Anderson Center for Autism, hosted a month-long celebration of autistic and neurodiverse artists in Expressive Outcomes, a virtual art gallery.
The gallery exhibit, part of the college s Autism Acceptance and Inclusivity Month, gave artists of all abilities the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent in an inclusive setting.
On April 13, the gallery held its opening event, moderated by Dr. Noor Syed, director of the SUNY Empire Center for Autism Inclusivity, with featured guests Eliza Bozenski, chief development officer at Anderson Center for Autism, Susan Angeles, a founder of the Expressive Outcomes program at Anderson and Dr. Pamala Rogers, director of expressive art programs for The Shield Institute and its Pure Vision Arts program in New York City.