DOI: 10.25549/cswa-c34-132
title: June Kailes interview, 1998

description: Kailes, June - Oral History Interview - CSWA ❧ Interviewed by Frances Feldman on June 4, 1998. An interview with June Kailes as she discusses her education and interest in social work; experiences in applying to graduate school; placement work during graduate studies at USC School of Social Welfare, eg, Rancho Los Amigos; development of center for independent living and work as Director of Westside Center for Independent Living; work in national training programs for independent living; personal story of disability (cerebral palsy); support from family; handicapped access at USC; changes in attitudes towards disabled; work with legislation for disabled; agencies providing community-based services for disabled; legislative programs, goals, and approaches for needs of disabled; social work and disability; attitudes of disabled towards self; electronic technology and disabled; donation of archival material. ❧ Mrs. Kailes obtained an MSW degree from the USC School of Social Work and immediately began to work, sequentially, with disabled persons in various settings: Olive View Sanitarium, Rancho Los Amigos in Los Angeles, and others. She received considerable support, sometimes financial, from Helen Phillips Levin (herself paraplegic, and an MSW from USC) in her various activities in the community aimed at improving conditions and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Mrs. Kailes worked for several years, becoming director of the Westside Center for Independent Living, where the interviewer was a member of the board of directors. After seven years, dissatisfied with having to concentrate on administrative and fundraising tasks rather than working directly with people confronting their disabilities, Mrs. Kailes left the agency to become a private disability consultant. She consults with agencies around the country, with firms seeking ways to deal with disability needs, and with individuals. She also continues to be an activist, but at the time of this interview, was somewhat discouraged about the attitudes she encounters. ❧ June Kailes. Professional social worker. Advocate for disabled. Interviewed by Frances Lomas Feldman. Date of interview: 6-4-98. 1 cassette tape. Length of interview: 1 hour and 15 minutes. Transcript of interview: 27 pp. CD containing interview and transcript. ❧ INTERVIEW TOPICS: Education and interest in social work; experiences in applying to graduate school; placement work during graduate studies at USC School of Social Welfare, eg, Rancho Los Amigos; development of center for independent living and work as Director of Westside Center for Independent Living; work in national training programs for independent living; personal story of disability (cerebral palsy); support from family; handicapped access at USC; changes in attitudes towards disabled; work with legislation for disabled; agencies providing community-based services for disabled; legislative programs, goals, and approaches for needs of disabled; social work and disability; attitudes of disabled towards self; electronic technology and disabled; donation of archival material. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: 1. 2 copies of synopsis of interview and June Kailes' background. 2. 1 California Social Welfare Archives Oral History Release Agreement. 3. 1 diskette of transcript of interview.