The Principle of Normalization

✗ Dr. Wolf Wolfensburger proposed the concept of Normalization (Social Role Valorization) which had originated in Scandinavian countries. The idea proposed “making available to the mentally retarded, patterns and conditions of everyday life which are as close as possible to the norms and patterns of the mainstream of society.”

✗ RI became the first state in the country to enact a special education law, the “Right to Education” law, mandating the education of “all handicapped children regardless of the degree of disability.” In 1972, the law was amended to include children in institutions.