Normalizing

Normalizing may be defined as (a) acceptance of people with disabilities and (b) offering people with disabilities the same conditions that are offered to others. The normalizing principle therefore means making available to all people with disabilities conditions of everyday living that are equal to (or as close as possible to) the regular circumstances and everyday way of life of society. This includes providing to individuals with disabilities the ability to live a life with normal rhythms, including daily routines. It also includes providing to such individuals the opportunities to interact within the normal conditions of life (e.g., regular housing, schooling, employment, exercise, recreation, and independent living). The purpose of this entry is to give an overview of research on the normalizing principle, including a ...