| In the early 1980's, spurred by two major
lawsuits, West Virginia began moving people with developmental
disabilities from state institutions to homes in the community.
In 1994, a half-dozen writers traveled the state
to interview people who had been deinstitutionalized. Where were they
now? What did they remember about their years in institutions? How
were they faring on the outside?
The writers talked with twenty-four people,
twelve of whom agreed to have their stories featured in a book,
photo
exhibit, and three plays.
The people are as diverse as any cross-section of American society.
What they have in common is the label of disability and some of its
consequences. Their stories are filled with the rich wisdom of
experience and valuable lessons about justice.
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