Seventeen years after the closure of the Rosewood Center, we revisit one of Maryland’s most controversial institutions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
With support from the MD 250 Inclusive History Grant, we interview Diane Coughlin, a former Rosewood staff psychologist, as she recounts her experiences working inside the facility before its closure in 2008.
In this interview, Diane reflects on life inside Rosewood, the allegations of abuse and mistreatment that led to its shutdown, and the shifting political and social landscape surrounding disability services, institutional care, and accountability in Maryland.
This conversation offers historical insight, personal reflection, and a deeper look at how past systems continue to shape present-day disability policy.