Normalization

An Initial Description of Normalization

Normalisation was developed from work by Grunewald, Bank-Mikkelson, and especially Nirje and Wolfensberger.

It is an Interpersonal Values Based Theory that also promotes certain outcomes for people with Developmental Disability, and in Wolfensberger’s formulation, for all people who may be labelled deviant.

Because it is a system that promotes outcome as well as describing the world scientifically, it has two parts, the scientific and the ideological. There is a warning note above on the interaction between science and ideology – IVBTs and The Concept of ‘Should’.

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Basics Of The Normalisation Principle

‘The Normalization principle means that you act right when you make available to all persons with intellectual or other impairments or disabilities those patterns of life and conditions of everyday living that are as close to possible to, or indeed the same as, the regular circumstances and ways of life of their communities and culture. The facets or elements of the normal patterns or conditions of life that the principle refers to and which persons with disabilities have equal rights to experience or share are the following:

A normal rhythm of the day

A normal rhythm of the week

A normal rhythm of the year

The normal experiences of the life cycle

Normal respect for the individual and right to self-determination

The normal sexual patterns of their culture

The normal economic patterns and rights of their society

The normal environment patterns and standards in their community’

The above is the most recent restatement of the principle, made in a speech at the Ottawa Conference on Normalization and SRV in 1994, and published in Flynn and Lemay 1999. The whole chapter is worth reading for Nirje’s own view of the development of the concept. For historical accuracy and a study of the development of the principle, reference may also be made to the following papers:

The Normalization principle and its human management implications

The Normalization principle: Implications and Comments

The Normalization Principle

Basis and Logic of the Normalization Principle

All of these papers are reviewed later in the section on Nirje’s writings.

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INCLUDE AN EASY READING LIST ON NORMALIZATION AT THIS POINT

Normalisation- A Summary by Bengt Nirje

The Following is taken from an appendix to Wolfensberger 1999 paper.

NORMALIZATION

Bengt Nirje

Normalization means…A normal rhythm of the day.

You get out of bed in the morning, even if you are

Profoundly retarded and physically handicapped;

You get dressed,

And leave the house for school or work,

You don’t stay home;

In the morning you anticipate events,

In the evening you think back on what you have accomplished;

The day is not a monotonous 24 hours with every minute endless.

You eat at normal times of the day and in a normal fashion;

Not just with a spoon, unless you are an infant;

Not in bed, but at a table;

Not early in the afternoon for the convenience of the staff.

Normalization means…A normal rhythm of the week.

You live in one place,

Go to work in another,

And participate in leisure activities in yet another.

You anticipate leisure activities on weekends,

And look forward to getting back to school

Or work on Monday.

Normalization means…A normal rhythm of the year.

A vacation to break routines of the year.

Seasonal changes bring with them a variety

Of types of food, work, cultural events, sports,

Leisure activities.

Just think… We thrive on seasonal changes.

Normalization means…Normal developmental experiences

Of the life cycle:

In childhood, children, but not adults, go to summer camps.

In adolescence one is interested in grooming, hairstyles,

Music, boy friends and girl friends.

In adulthood, life is filled with work and responsibilities.

In old age, one had memories to look back on, and can

Enjoy the wisdom of experience.

Normalization means…Having a range of choices,

Wishes, and desires respected and considered.

Adults have the freedom to decide

Where they would like to live,

What kind of job they would like to have, and can best perform.

Whether they would prefer to go bowling with a group,

Instead of staying home to watch television.

Normalization means… Living in a world made of two sexes.

Children and adults both develop relationships with

Members of the opposite sex.

Teenagers become interested in having

Boy friends and girl friends.

Adults may fall in love, and decide to marry.

Normalization means…The right to normal economic standards.

All of us have basic financial privileges, and responsibilities,

Are able to take advantage of

Compensatory economic security means,

Such as child allowances, old age pensions, and

Minimum wage regulations.

We should have money to decide how to spend;

On personal luxuries, or necessities.

Normalization means…Living in normal housing

In a normal neighbourhood.

Not in a large facility with 20, 50, or 100 other people

Because you are retarded,

And not isolated from the rest of the community.

Normal locations and normal size homes will give residents

Better opportunities for successful integration

With their communities.