Normalization principle: Difference between revisions

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== Definition==

Normalization involves the acceptance of some people with disabilities, with their disabilities, offering them the same conditions as are offered to other citizens. It involves an awareness of the normal rhythm of life – including the normal rhythm of a day, a week, a year, and the life-cycle itself (e.g., celebration of holidays; workday and weekends). It involves the normal conditions of life – housing, schooling, employment, exercise, recreation and freedom of choice previously denied to individuals with severe, profound, or significant disabilities.<ref>Nirje, Bengt as cited in S. Cohen & C. Gothelf. (1988). A Preservice Trining Curriculum for Administrators for Community-Based Residential Programs SrviceService People with Developmental Disabilities. NY, NY: City University of New York, Hunter College.</ref>

Wolfensberger's definition is based on a concept of cultural normativeness: "Utilization of a means which are as culturally normative as possible, in order to establish and/or maintain personal behaviors and characteristics that are as culturally normative as possible." Thus, for example, "medical procedures" such as shock treatment or restraints, are not just punitive, but also not "culturally normative" in society. His principle is based upon social and physical integration, which later became popularized, implemented and studied in services as [[community integration]] encompassing areas from work to recreation and living arrangement.<ref>''Orientation Manual on Mental Retardation'', Pt. 1. Downsview, Ontario: National Institute on Mental Retardation, Kinsmen NIMR Building, pp. 41-50.</ref>