The Rehabilitation Services Oral History collection provides the history of rehabilitation services within Arkansas, including the integration of facilities and programs during the 1960s. The collection was funded by a grant from the Arkansas Endowment for the Humanities.
Interviewee: E. Russell Baxter
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 01-22-1982
Baxter began his career as a Rehabilitation Counselor with the Arkansas School for the Blind in 1955, and he held several positions with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services including Director of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
Interviewee: L.D. Kerr
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 10-09-1981
Kerr held the position of Information & Referral Specialist with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and was the editor of The Counselor, the departmental newsletter which was instrumental in acquiring support from the Arkansas Legislature.
Interviewee: Curtis O. Little
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 02-25-1982
Little held the position of Rehabilitation Counselor and served the counties of Clark, Dallas, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Perry, and Saline.
Interviewee: Dojelo Crabaugh Russell
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 12-31-1981, 01-02-1982
Russell held several positions during her time with the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services department, including Supervisor of Tuberculosis Centers where she supervised an all-male department. Russell then held the position of Director of Student Services of the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center during integration of the facility. Married to Don Russell.
Interviewee: Don Russell
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 12-31-1981, 01-02-1982
Russell held the position of Director of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and pushed for the expansion of rehabilitation services in Arkansas, resulting in the establishment of progressive programs. He established one of the first transitional programs for vocational rehabilitation for those with mental health issues and illnesses. Married to Dojelo Crabaugh Russell.
Interviewee: Rupert Sims
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 10-23-1981
Sims began his career with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services as a Rehabilitation Counselor serving the counties of Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, Perry, Van Buren, and White. He also held the positions of Counselor at and Administrator of Arkansas Children’s Colony. Sims discusses the potential loss of federal funding due to segregation at Cummins and Tucker correctional facilities, and the subsequent cessation of rehabilitation services programs until integration was achieved.
Interviewee: Don G. Thurman
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 03-04-1982
Thurman began his career as a Rehabilitation Counselor serving the counties of Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, and Van Buren. He pioneered one of the first alcohol rehabilitation programs in the country, and the first in Arkansas. Thurman discusses segregation of correctional facilities during Governor Orval Faubus’s terms, the potential loss of federal funding, and the cessation of rehabilitation services programs until integration was achieved.
Interviewee: R. Lewis Urton
Interviewer: Claudia Griffith
Date of Interview: 10-13-1981
Urton began his career in 1947 as a Rehabilitation Counselor serving the northern half of Arkansas. He held several positions with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services including Chief of Rehabilitation Services. Urton discusses the reinstallation of rehabilitation services programs at the training schools throughout Arkansas once integration was achieved.