This learning activity uses a photograph series from the Office of War Information in 1942 to look at disabled Americans’ contributions to the US war effort. With many of the country’s young able-bodied men serving in the US military and wartime needs increasing demands on manufacturers, many women, Black Americans, disabled Americans, and other marginalized workers were able to get industrial jobs for the first time.

*Note: Before starting this exercise, discuss respectful language and historical terms (like handicapped) which are considered out of date and/or offensive today.

Consider splitting your students into small groups and have each group analyze one photograph using the Observe, Reflect, Question approach. Then come back together as a class to discuss the questions below.

Potential Discussion Questions

1. What surprised you in these photos/captions?
2. What messages did the Office of War Information want to convey with this photo series? What makes you think this?
3. What ideas about disability are expressed by these photographs and captions?
   1. How does this photo series challenge older ideas about disability?
   2. What obstacles might disabled people have still faced in the workplace?
   3. What types of disabilities are represented in this collection of photographs? What types of disabilities are missing? What might be some of the impacts of these exclusions?
4. What can these photographs teach us about the World War II home front?

Once students have explored this wartime work, read the 1946 article, "DAV and AFH To Sponsor Handicapped-Job Effort" to discuss some of the long-term impacts:

1. What reasons are given in the article for why more disabled Americans should be included in the workforce?
2. What impact might the 1942 photo series have had on disabled workers in the postwar era?

This activity can also be expanded by asking students to search Chronicling America for articles about the war work accomplished by Americans with disabilities. The phrase “handicapped war workers” yields numerous results. For example, this 1942 article, “Manpower Crisis Hinges on Policy,” discusses how reluctant manufacturers need to start hiring marginalized workers (Black Americans, women, the elderly, and disabled workers) to compensate for labor shortages. (Note: this article uses the term Negro, which should be discussed with students beforehand)

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This source set can be put into conversation with:

-the longer history of rehabilitation programs (from World War I to the modern day)

-ideas about work, patriotism, and productive citizenship

-general lessons on the WWII home front

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Alt text for the photographs is available on the LOC website. Alt text for the newspaper articles is available in the reference note section for each source.