Normalization principle

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In the 1950s , the principle of normalization was developed as a central maxim in dealing with adult people with intellectual disabilities . It was initially developed as a guideline for the design of social services. In a nutshell, the normalization formula says that the life of (adult) people with cognitive impairments should be made as normal as possible in all phases.

The idea of ​​normalization was developed in the 1950s by the Dane Niels Erik Bank-Mikkelsen . The Swede Bengt Nirje worked out the normalization principle and aimed to put it into practice by setting specific goals. Wolf Wolfensberger developed it further in the USA and Canada in the 1960s . In Germany , Walter Thimm is considered the advocate of the normalization principle. According to Nirje, the normalization concept should affect the following eight areas:

  • Normal daily rhythm
  • Separation of work-leisure-time
  • Normal annual rhythm
  • Normal experiences in the course of the life cycle
  • Normal respect for the individual and their right to self-determination
  • Normal sexual life patterns of their culture
  • Normal economic life patterns and rights within the framework of social conditions
  • Normal environmental patterns and standards within the community. (cf. Nirje 1994, 13)

According to the American disabled educator and psychologist Wolfensberger, the addressees of the normalization principle (three system levels) are:

  • the individual person with intellectual disabilities (= primary or micro system)
  • the institutions (meso or medium system)
  • society (macro or larger system)

Wolfensberger divides these target groups into the action dimensions of interaction and interpretation . From this it becomes clear that normalization relates not only to actions, but also to the way in which people with intellectual disabilities are presented "outwardly" as they are symbolically represented to the environment.

With the action dimension of the interpretation on the three system levels, Wolfensberger draws attention to the still intellectually anchored prejudices and value judgments in society. (see Wolfensberger 1986)

"After all, those affected by associations, institutions, journalism and the media ( Aktion Mensch ) are working towards changes in attitudes, and people with disabilities usually no longer have to leave their home region to live in a remote location and receive support, education or therapy . " ( Klauss 1996, 56)

The normalization principle in practice

The normalization principle also includes the normalization of the living conditions of people with severe disabilities . In reality, implementation has only progressed very slowly so far; z. For example, only “less severely disabled people” often live in communal shared apartments. Gaedt (1992) points to the risk of people with severe disabilities not being included in the normalization process and the risk of this group being segregated in “severely disabled centers”.

The basic formulations of the normalization principle find approval on the one hand, and difficulties arise in implementing the requirements on the other. This can also be due to the fact that this is a principle and not a concept of action. Such a concept should be developed as differentiated as possible according to age levels, areas of life and also according to the type of disability. “ The idea of ​​equality, which is strongly anchored in the normalization principle, must not entail any uniformity requirements when normalization concepts are implemented. "

In Germany, for example, the principle of normalization is reflected in the Disability Equality Act , where a “right to equality” is formulated.

literature

  • Bengt Nirje: The normalization principle - 25 years later , In: Vierteljahresschrift für Heilpädagogik and their neighboring areas 1 , 1994, pp. 12–32
  • W. Wolfensberger: The development of the idea of ​​normalization in the USA and Canada , In: Federal association for life assistance for the mentally handicapped eV (Ed.): Normalization - a chance for people with mental disabilities. Marburg 1986, pp. 45-62
  • Walter Thimm: The normalization principle: an introduction. , 5th ed. Small series. Vol. 5. Lebenshilfe-Verlag, Marburg 1994
  • Dieter Gröschker: The normalization principle - between justice and good life: a consideration from an ethical point of view. In: Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik Vol. 51, 2000, No. 4, pp. 134–140
  • Brigitte McManama: Normalization - Principles that should change the lives of people with disabilities. Directions. In: Orientation 1994
  • Thomas Barow: Sweden's way of integration. Bengt Nirje and Karl Grunewald, two 'pioneers' of special education in Northern Europe, on eugenics, changes in mentality and normalization . In: Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik 53 (2002) 8, pp. 314–321
  • Walter Thimm: The principle of normalization, a reader on the past and present of a reform concept , Lebenshilfeverlag, Marburg 2005
  • Thomas Barow: Bengt Nirje . In: Geistige Behavior 45 (2006) 3, pp. 251-252
  • Annedore Prengel : Pedagogy of Diversity , 3rd edition, VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2006, p. 155ff
  • Thomas Barow: The origins of normalization in Sweden. A contribution to the history of special education in Europe. In: Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik 60 (2009) 1, pp. 2–10

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Gröschke, 2000, p. 135