This online presentation will provide an overview of the debates over the use of aversive interventions (such as electric shock) like the ones used at the Massachusetts based Judge Rotenberg Center. We will also present on the State of New York’s efforts to evaluate the center and restrict placement; and discuss the fact that it places and finances many individuals who reside there. 

Advocates and lawyers have filed complaints and lawsuits to both use aversive interventions and ban aversive interventions, scientists have written hundreds of articles for and against them, and people with disabilities have lost their lives and, some would say, lived their lives, because of them. There are families who believe deeply in the need to use aversives to control their children’s behavior. There are others who believe the techniques used are torture. The overwhelming majority of these families have children who have been excluded from numerous educational and treatment programs because of their behaviors. For most of the families, placement at the Judge Rotenberg Center appears to be the last resort.

The presentation will also present key findings contained in the book Pain and Shock in America: Politics, Advocacy and the Controversial Treatment of People with Disabilities, which is a historical case study of the Judge Rotenberg Center, named after the judge who ruled in favor of keeping its doors open to use aversive interventions. It chronicles and analyzes the events and people involved for over forty years that contributed to the inability of the state of Massachusetts and United States to stop the use of electric shock, and other severe forms of punishment on children and adults with disabilities. It is a long story, sad and tragic, complex, filled with intrigue and questions about society and its ability to protect and support its most vulnerable citizens.

Jan Nisbet, Ph.D. served as the Senior Vice Provost for Research at the University of New Hampshire from 2009-2019 during which time UNH achieved Carnegie R1 ranking designating it as a “research very high” university.  She is the founding Director of the Institute on Disability and a tenured Professor in the Department of Education at UNH.  She is faculty emeritus as of May 21, 2021. Her recent book, Pain and Shock in America: Politics, Advocacy, and the Controversial Treatment of People with Disabilities was published by Brandeis University Press in 2021.  Dr. Nisbet is past President of the Executive Board of Directors of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), an international organization focused on improving the lives of persons with disabilities and their families through research, training, and advocacy.  Dr. Nisbet has published extensively in the field of developmental disabilities, has served on numerous editorial and advisory boards, and has presented nationally and internationally.  She has been the principal investigator on many state-level and nationally funded projects related to the community integration of children and adults with disabilities; and contributed to public policy reform efforts in NH and nationally to improve the ability of persons with disabilities to fully participate in their communities. 

Nancy Weiss, M.S.W. is the former Executive Director of TASH, a national disability advocacy association, a founder of the Alliance for Citizen Directed Supports and a founder of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities. She has recently retired as a professor at the University of Delaware. Over her 45-year career she has led advocacy efforts against the use of electric shock as punishment and has worked relentlessly, to both end the use of aversive procedures and promote supports and policies that inspire inclusive communities and assure the rights of people with disabilities.