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Bob and Martha Perske with their dog, Wolfie, 2004
Robert (Bob) and Martha Perske have been advocating for persons with intellectual disabilities for the past five decades. Married in 1971, their work together began at the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI), an institution providing care for 250 children with intellectual disabilities, where Bob served as chaplain. During this time he wrote the first article on ministry and mental retardation. His work was used by families, clergy, and congregations as a learning tool to better understand those with intellectual disabilities.
Throughout the 11 years Perske worked at KNI, his commitment to serving children with intellectual disabilities prompted other forms of service including joining several volunteer organizations that fought to end institutionalization of persons with disabilities. Perske went on to serve as executive director of the Greater Omaha Association for Retarded Citizens (GOARC), which created one of the earliest community based services in the nation, and later the Eastern Nebraska Office of Retardation (ENCOR), before becoming an advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities in prison, supporting clients and their attorneys in their fight for justice. In 2002, his more than two decades of advocacy were celebrated when he became the only non-lawyer to receive the American Bar Association's Paul Hearne Award for Services to Persons with Disabilities.
Among his many accomplishments, Bob Perske may be best known as the author of 16 books and hundreds of articles on topics ranging from caring for disabled children to providing support for families. Martha contributed to these efforts as illustrator and editor. She first began sketching the faces of the young residents at KNI and soon perfected her natural talent. Her drawings, simply executed in pencil but incredibly beautiful and expressive, illustrated first Bob's books and later two major reports on disabilities for Presidents Nixon and Carter and the 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons commemorative stamp.
Over the years, the couple have been recongnized for their contributions to the care and treatment of persons with intellectual disabilities and have won numerous awards. They continue their work in Darien, Connecticut, where they reside.
The Perske Papers document the couple's life-long efforts to advocate for services and civil rights for persons with intellectual disabilities. As a compassionate observer of the challenges facing individuals with disabilities and their families, Bob Perske used his skills as a communicator to present ideas and connect people both through his writing and speeches. Martha, his partner in all things, used her natural talent as an artist and editor to compliment his writing. Their combined efforts are represented in drafts of speeches, published articles, and artwork.
Bob Perkse was also instrumental in creating and maintaining networks of support for persons with intellectual disabilities wrongfully accused and convicted of crimes. Materials in the collection chronicle the status of various cases that he was involved in and include transcripts of interviews, media coverage, and his own communications. Images of the accused, sometimes photographed with Perske, further demonstrate his efforts to put faces to the names of these individuals as well as document his ongoing advocacy.
The collection is open for research.
Acquired from Robert and Martha Perske, 2013.
Processed by Chelsey Talbot, October 2013.
Bob Perske has been writing about the advocacy needs of persons with intellectual disabilities since his days as pastor at the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI). Materials include several articles and speeches written and delivered by Bob as well as information about his efforts. Many of Perske's writings here relate to his work with persons with intellectual disabilities wrongfully accused and convicted of crimes. Materials also include the extensive writings of Robert (Bob) Williams, a leader in the disability movement, who is a long-time collaborator and friend with Perske. Williams' writings reflect his work as policy advisor and advocate as well as his personal history living with cerebral palsy expressed both in autobiographical pieces and in his poetry.
Extensive correspondence files of Bob Perske concerning his writing, advocacy, and efforts on behalf of prisoners wrongly accused; includes correspondence of Bob Williams both with Perske and others. Subject files contain related publications, background or research materials, reports, transcripts, and poems.
Files document Perske's work on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities wrongfully accused and imprisoned. Materials are organized by the name of the individual and files include background information on crimes, legal cases, media coverage, efforts to rally support, and communications about the individual or the case.
Images and some audio or visual materials related to the many cases of persons with intellectual disabilities wrongfully accused and convicted of crimes that Bob Perske documented and supported through his writing and other advocacy activities. Also includes some of Martha's artwork , images of Bob Williams, and several recorded speeches.
Article about Princess Diana's interest in the Perskes' book,
Materials related to the second printing of the book.
Materials related to the report: Report to the President, MR 78.
Delivered at TASH National Convention.
Print outs of entries from Bob Williams' blog.
Printed in Hartford Courant on August 8, 1985.
Includes comments from Robert Perske.
With introduction by Robert Perske.
Published in first issues of VOICES.
Published in T.A.S.H. Newsletter, includes related correspondence.
Feeatures Robert Williams.
Volume 66, no. 5-6 contains photograph of Robert Perske on front cover.
For the friends of Richard Lapointe.
Recommending Bengt Nirje for AAMR International Award.
Concerning Richard Lapointe.
Concerning Richard Lapointe.
Concerning Robert Williams.
With copy of Speech "Out of Darkness and Into Light."
Concerning upcoming wedding ceremony.
Features photo of Robert Perske and child at KNI.
From PBS Newshour.
Concerning Provider Service Profiles.
Telephone interview conducted by Robert Perske about Delbert Ward.
Telephone interview conducted by Robert Perske about Earl Washington, Jr.
Johnny Lee Wilson and Warren Ormsby.