Canada Looks at “Orillia Asylum for Idiots”

Out from Under: Disability History and Things to Remember is on show at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Canada until July 13. The groundbreaking exhibit reveals a rich and nuanced history that chronicles the struggles, alliances and setbacks faced by those who have a disability.

Co-sponsored by Ryerson University's School of Disability Studies, the show features 13 diverse objects, including a Braille watch worn by Mae Brown, who was deaf and blind and went on to earn a university degree, as well as a trunk used to transport a child's belongings to the “Orillia Asylum for Idiots.”

Out from Under also pays tribute to the resilience, creativity and civic and cultural contributions of Canadians with disabilities. The exhibit was produced in collaboration with students, scholars and alumni from Ryerson University. ASL interpretation and Real-Time Captioning is provided.

www.rom.on.ca