On March 17, 1972, parents with children in the Willowbrook State School filed a lawsuit to force the state to improve conditions there. Three years later, all parties signed the Willowbrook Consent Decree, a legal agreement which changed the treatment of the developmentally disabled in New York State and ultimately, the nation.

To mark the 30th anniversary of this historic milestone, the College of Staten Island (CSI) Library Archives and Special Collections is presenting a roundtable discussion about the legacy of Willowbrook.

Participants include:

* Elizabeth Connelly, former New York State Assemblywoman
* Sal Giordano, parent and member of the Willowbrook Commission Task Force
* Hal Kennedy, attorney and leading advocate for the disabled, and
* David Goode, moderator, and professor of sociology at the CSI

The Archives will display documents and photographs from the newly established Willowbrook Collection, which contains materials associated with the history of the Willowbrook State School and disabilities.

Date: Monday, March 18, 2002

Time: 6:30 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Program

Place: College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Library Archives and Special Collections, 1L-216

This program is free and open to the public. It will be taped for broadcast on WSIA 88.9 FM.

For additional information, contact Dr. Jeffrey Kroessler in the Archives: (718) 982-4021.