Stone Belt formed to meet community needs

When Carolyn Abbitt was sent home from school in 1956 because teachers didn’t feel they could help her, her parents tried to make the best of it. That’s what parents expected in that era. No requirements existed that allowed children with disabilities to receive special education.

A spark of hope ignited when they learned Dr. Roscoe Smith and his wife, along with others, were working to create a school for their son, Bob, and other children with disabilities. The Abbitts joined and became leaders in the cause. Soon, they formed Stone Belt, and nine children had a place to learn and grow. Although the medical community widely encouraged institutionalization, these children and many others were not forced into facilities to live and be educated.

On March 10, 1959, Stone Belt Council was incorporated. Founding families and others from Indiana University and the broader community started a movement that put Stone Belt on the trajectory to where it is today. As Margaret Mead, an American cultural anthropologist, author, and speaker in the 1960s and 1970s, is known to say, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

The prominent industry in the area in those days was limestone quarrying. The community took great pride in the fact that stones from the area built national landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. The regional area that includes Monroe and Lawrence counties was called The Stone Belt due to limestone production, so the founding families aligned the name of their newly founded organization with the foundation of the community.

People with disabilities draw national attention

In 1946, Ambassador and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy established the Kennedy Foundation to seek the prevention of intellectual disabilities and to improve the way society dealt with those with disabilities. Their daughter, Rosemary, born with developmental disabilities, influenced their interest in bringing this issue to light. During his presidency John Kennedy promoted the family’s commitment. In the years that followed, Congress passed 116 acts or amendments providing supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. (SOURCE: www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-Legacy/JFK-and-Disability.aspx)

The Association for Retarded Citizens*, a national advocacy group, was formed in 1950. In this nation-wide movement, people made the difference in bringing awareness to communities and policymakers about the importance of social justice and equal rights for people with disabilities.

Despite this national spotlight on people with disabilities, abuse and neglect occurred within institutions and was kept hidden. An expose’ called “Christmas in Purgatory” by Burton Blatt in 1966 starkly illustrated the problem. Later, Geraldo Rivera went into Willowbrook in New York and revealed the atrocities there. Despite some reforms within institutions, poor treatment, abuse and lack of humane care were ongoing issues. Still waiting lists for these institutions were long so families were unsure where to turn.

That’s why community organizations like Stone Belt became so important.

Early days at the Stone Belt School

Stone Belt’s first school was in the basement of the First Baptist Church. Families were integrally involved in those days of scarce funding by hosting chili suppers and yard sales to help to cover expenses. As the program grew, classroom space at Indiana University was secured. Services were dispersed according to ages and abilities. In 1959, Stone Belt Council was given permission to use the old Headley School on East Matlock and Headley roads in Bloomington. Multiple classrooms were available in the first centralized location for the young organization. Legend has it that the teachers had to stoke the furnace with coal to heat the building.

The first director accelerates pace of growth

In 1965, Stone Belt’s first director, Joan Burton, began teaching at Headley. In 1968, she was appointed as the director. She and her husband, Bob, had moved to the area in 1941. She taught for several years at Broadview School and was involved in teaching an “educable” class.

Founding member Marion Young said, “Once Mrs. Burton was on board, things really took off. She was the great mover of the organization. She had the desire, motivation, and connections to make things happen, and she was good at it.”

By the time she was appointed director, Mrs. Burton had already started advocating for a comprehensive school and sheltered workshop for adults. With her husband serving as assistant to IU President Herman B Wells, Stone Belt Council was able to secure a 50-year lease on IU property at 10th Street and the 45/46 Bypass.

By 1970, $512,000 was raised from federal, state, and local sources to build and open the Stone Belt Comprehensive Center, the building that remains its headquarters. The facility housed seven school–aged classrooms and a small workshop for adults. In addition, a recycle program was operated out of two semi-trailers in the parking lot. Therapies were also available and a small preschool program was planned.

Rapid growth continues amid societal changes

The 1970s were a time of expansive growth for Stone Belt and for changes in the country for people with disabilities. Among the opportunities were:

From the late 1950s to the early 1980s Stone Belt embarked on a mission to create a school and community center for people with disabilities. It was successful in obtaining sustainable funding and in becoming a United Way agency. Its reputation was positive and a sense of pride was grown in the local community for the opportunities the organization offered. Many fewer people were being sent to public institutions because local services were available. Since services were offered “in house,” the programs were considered safe places for those that may be vulnerable in the outside world. As we will see in Chapter 3, that mind-set would change over the next few decades.

* Because of the stigmatizing effects of the words "retarded" and "mental retardation," that language has been eliminated from our vocabulary.