Willowbrook and the Future of Disability Rights - with Dr. William Bronston and Marlene Sallo

You First: The Disability Rights Florida Podcast

In this episode, co-hosts Maddie and Keith talk with Dr. William Bronston and Marlene Sallo about Willowbrook State School, its exposé, and its impact on the disability rights movement. The episode starts with our conversation with Dr. Bronston, a doctor who worked at Willowbrook and ultimately was vital in the lawsuit against New York State, ultimately officially closing the institution in 1987. He tells the insidious and harrowing story of abuse, violence, murder, and monetization of disabled folks warehoused at Willowbrook State School and what efforts he's currently involved in to advocate for healthcare for all and deinstitutionalization. Then, we hear from the National Disability Rights Network's Executive Director, Marlene Sallo, about the impact Willowbrook and the deinstitutionalization movement have had on the disability community and the ongoing fight for disability rights.

Content Warning: strong language, explicit mentions of violence against and death of disabled people, institutionalization, medical trauma, and eugenics.

The episode starts with Dr. Bill Bronston's interview, then we hear from Marlene Sallo starting at 1:28:10.

Relevant links:

• Dr. Bronston's Book: Public Hostage Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America
• Geraldo Rivera's 1972 expose of Willowbrook State School
• CA Physicians for National Health Program
• OurHealth.pub
• National Disability Rights Network website