In preschool groups, in public school programs for the retarded, in residential care and sheltered workshops, there are many examples of outstanding programs which represent new imaginative thinking and set new frontiers. There is of course much to report that is encouraging and that is indeed inspiring. And just as our early leaders were not content when officials or agencies assured them in those days that they did “the best they could do,” but demanded the best possible for the retarded, we, as local, state, and national association, must apply the same measuring stick to our own present efforts. In striking contrast to the vigorous and determined leadership of the early pioneers of our movement who pursued their course of action in the face of seemingly unconquerable odds, there is too much readiness in our midst today to accept the limitations others set to our work, and indeed increasingly one hears the comments “We are tired” and “We do the best we can.” Surely a vital organization should not be tired after just ten years of existence.

Gunnar Dybwad, an early and prominent advocate for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Dybwad taught at Brandeis University, where he was professor of human development and founding director of the Starr Center for Mental Retardation at the Heller School.

From 1957 to 1963 he was executive director of the National Association for Retarded Children, now known as the Arc.

Gunnar Dybwad, A Presentation at the Tenth Anniversary Convention of the National Association for Retarded Children, Minneapolis, Minn., in October, 1960Įditor’s Note: Gunnar Dybwad was an early and prominent advocate for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. In: Disability, Feeble-minded/Mentally Retarded, Social Welfare Issues Are We Retarding The Retarded?īy Dr.

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