The College of Staten Island, proud steward of the site where the Willowbrook State School once stood, was honored to co-host “The Evolution of Inclusion: 1975–2025,” a landmark event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Willowbrook Consent Decree. In a powerful act of remembrance and ongoing advocacy, The Arc New York officially donated a significant collection of Willowbrook archives to the College’s library and Willowbrook Archives, further cementing CSI’s role in preserving the legacy of one of the most consequential civil rights movements for people with developmental disabilities.

The event was presented in partnership with Governor Hochul’s Chief Disability Officer, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council, and CSI. This gathering brought together advocates, family members, and leaders to reflect on the progress made since the closing of Willowbrook and to recommit to a future of inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.

“We will never forget the mistakes of the past when children with developmental disabilities were shuttered away from their loved ones because society was unaccepting and uninformed,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we celebrate the results of positive change and the proposal included in my Executive Budget is just one example of our commitment to expanding opportunity and support to all New Yorkers.” 

“The Willowbrook Consent Decree marked a turning point in the history of disability rights, not just in New York but across the country,” said CSI President Dr. Timothy G. Lynch. “As we commemorate its 50th anniversary, we honor the courage of self-advocates, families, and journalists who exposed injustice and demanded better. Their actions reshaped our understanding of inclusion, dignity, and community. At the College of Staten Island, we are proud to stand on the very ground where this history unfolded, and we are deeply honored to preserve it. We are excited to accept and expand our campus archives with new materials related to the Willowbrook State School, ensuring that this vital history continues to be studied and remembered by future generations.”

The Willowbrook Consent Decree, a 1975 court settlement resulting from a class action lawsuit initiated by parent advocates, mandated the closure of the institution and established a transformative model of community-based care. This legal milestone, catalyzed by investigative journalism and fierce advocacy, revolutionized how people with developmental disabilities are treated—not only in New York, but nationwide.

“CUNY is proud to mark the 50th anniversary of a pivotal moment in the history of disability rights and an occasion to celebrate how far we have come as a society in recognizing the dignity and advancing the rights of all people with disabilities, but also to take stock of how much more we still must do,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “This is a fight for equity and inclusivity that goes to the core of our mission and which our students, faculty and staff – at the College of Staten Island and across our University – champion every day.”

Today, CSI houses the Willowbrook Mile, a reflective walking path of interpretive markers throughout campus, and the Willowbrook Archives, which collects, preserves, and shares artifacts and documentation related to the institution and its closure. The newly donated materials from The Arc New York will significantly expand this archival collection, offering an even more comprehensive historical record to scholars, advocates, and community members alike.

The event also featured tributes to two pivotal figures in the Willowbrook movement: Mrs. Willie Mae Goodman, honored with the inaugural Family Advocacy Award in her name, and Bernard Carabello, awarded the Self-Advocacy Award for his lifelong contributions to disability rights. These recognitions reflect the importance of grassroots advocacy in shaping lasting change.

As part of ongoing efforts to elevate the history of Willowbrook, Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposes the creation of a Willowbrook Center for Learning at the nearby Institute for Basic Research campus, including the restoration of a historic building once part of the original Willowbrook site.

The College of Staten Island remains committed to education, research, and remembrance, and is proud to serve as a custodian of this essential chapter in New York and American history.

See the Full Photo Gallery of the event below: