Normalization: The Right of Respect (1973)

[Music] Joan is 7 years old she enjoys games and having fun Joan is happy and she enjoys life what would happen to Joan if her parents couldn't take care of her Joan is handicapped Joan is mentally [Music] and because she is mentally until a few years ago Joan might not have had a choice of where she would live if her parents couldn't care for her Joan would probably be placed in an institution where she might spend the rest of her life there are many types of Institutions some are modern with lots of space and trees some are old with crowded facilities and some are a combination of old and new people who are mentally are not the only handicapped who might have to face this situation people with developmental handicaps such as cerebal paly could also be placed in institutions but today a way of life called normalization is being introduced for the assistance and treatment of handicapped people normalization means that those with handicaps are given a chance to live and work in surroundings other people enjoy to live their lives to the fullest extent their handicaps will allow to be helped to lead a more normal life is not a gift that people who are not handicapped give to those who are a normal life is a right handicapped people have because they are human beings it's easy to say we'll let all handicapped people lead a normal life but it's not so easy to accomplish before we look at normalization however we need to see just what develop mental handicaps are developmental handicaps can be mental handicaps physical handicaps or a combination of both that limits a person's natural abilities examples of these handicaps Are cereal paly and mental retardation which are always present or epilepsy which may not disable a person at all times to get a better understanding of these handicaps and what normalization may mean we will use m Al retardation is an example but everything that is mentioned regarding normalization can be applied to everyone with a developmental handicap there are 280 known reasons or causes for a person to be mentally poverty can cause mental retardation because poor expectant mothers often receive little or no prenatal care bad diets before birth and while they are growing can cause children to be mentally other causes are accidents or injuries which result in brain damage inherited and genetic factors or chemical imbalances like PKU can cause mental retardation but these causes may be prevented by research an important fact to remember however is that mentally people learn the same way everyone else does only more slowly the mentally can enjoy a life that is nearly normal but to guarantee this will require a few things the most important requirement is a home homes are necessary if anyone is to be in good mental and physical health but where will the person live after he or she becomes an adult most persons leave home and so should mentally people or if the person is a child and has to leave home or loses his or her parents he should still have a home and not be placed in an institution therefore homes are needed for all ages and levels of the mentally but the greatest need is for homes for adults to provide these necessary items group homes were developed a group home is a residence which provides a natural homelike atmosphere for mentally people group homes are located in the community and look like any other home they can be large houses or part of an apartment complex because the number of group home residents can vary from four or five to 8 or 10 people group homes are located in areas where boarding houses or apartments already exist this is done to help them blend into the neighborhood and not become centers of attention buildings stay as they were before they became group homes without offense without a sign saying a home for the mentally group homes are the most important Link in the normalization chain important because they give people a home and a chance for a more normal way of living having mentally and other handicapped people live in our neighborhood is not a new idea they've been living there for years with their families but group homes give those without families the same Choice as far as neighbors they're they're really great they're much better than the neighbors we had before they're quiet I have no fears of living next door to them as good as group homes are some mentally people can live in apartments go to work and seek Recreation with a minimum of advice or guidance and these individuals do not have to be limited even to a group home environment for them a non-handicapped person called an advocate volunteers to assist advise or just be a friendly companion these Advocates help a mentally person to live the most normal life a handicapped person can enjoy for children an alternative to group homes is an adoptive home people who serve as adoptive parents provide a vital service and offer living conditions that are more normal and family likee than group living but people have been slow to become adoptive parents so a higher priority must be placed on this program being handicapped does not make a child less worthy of a normal life but as important as homes are they're only one part of a normal lifestyle education is also important mentally people need an education like everybody else because education is part of a normal life education is part of normalization most handicapped children should be educated in public schools because Public Schools should be used to educate anyone who wants to learn and because the schools already exist and have both teachers and Equipment it is less expensive and should be as natural and normal as possible subjects taught should be whatever will be of greatest benefit to the student they can range from the purely academic reading and writing to whatever the student can and wants to learn 15 20 25 25 cents could I pay 25 cents for 50 cent piece of candy no no each school day should include eating lunch in the cafeteria plus scheduling play and Recreation periods so handicapped students can meet and mingle with the other students handicapped children's education should not be limited to the classroom only physical training or therapy is often needed therapy like academics should be tailored for the individual student for example this little girl has trouble sitting alone but can hold her breath and engage in swimming activities exercise like this will reduce or overcome many problems now for these reasons normalization in education should fit the needs of each handicapped person another reason for educating the handicapped person is that those who can work must be employable if they are to become useful productive citizens to be employable they need work skills and job experience so part of normalization is to provide training centers where the necessary skills can be obtained training centers serve two purposes the first is to act as work centers where all mentally people who want job jobs can get work experience and training which can range from operation of machine tools and related equipment to experience in food service that will enable them to work in cafeterias restaurants or butcher shops when these students have finished their training and are ready to work they're placed on jobs in the community like this young man employed in this Furniture Factory and earning the same pay as his fellow workers production jobs are not the only kind of work that people can do if given a chance they can work in beauty shops or mail rooms like this young man the mentally are good people to hire the work records are exceptional they are punctual they have less absenteeism and less job turnover than the average employee but what about the handicapped worker who can work but not at a competitive Pace the second function of a training center is to provide a place where they can find jobs in a sheltered setting to earn money to help support themselves jobs in training centers can vary from simple tasks such as assembling these bobbins to working in this print shop where these young people with cble py perform various printing operations even though they may work more slowly they want to work and so should be given a chance the needs already mentioned for a home an education and a job are all vital parts of a normalized life in addition to these basic requirements mentally people may want or need spiritual guidance to round out their lives this includes the right to attend and be part of the church or synagogue of their choice to be a member means being included in church activities not just helping fill the pews handicapp people also have the right to be entertained they have the right to go to theaters visit museums or points of interest like this Science Center or to attend sports events but while being a spectator is fun part of getting the most from life is participating like these young athletes in the Special Olympics even if there is a risk involved handicapped people accept these risks because risk is present in everyday life handicapped people get sick like everyone else and they have the right to receive medical attention they're entitled to receive their medical care at the same place as everyone else does at hospitals in doctor's offices or from clinics and health centers additional rights are mentally citizens should have are the right to vote if they are capable and want to they should be allowed to help select their leaders in government the whole idea of normalization in simple terms is that people people who are mentally have epilepsy or cereal py are entitled to as normal a life as they can manage and enjoy a life with a choice of jobs religious activities education places to live and political beliefs that are available to everyone else we have seen what is needed to give people with developmental handicaps a nearly normal life and most of their needs are being guaranteed team by the action of States like Georgia with their two Landmark pieces of legislation the 1968 educational act for exceptional children and the 1972 Community Services act for the mentally these laws have done much to ensure our handicapped citizens a more normal life but for normalization to be really successful will require something often hard to get the acceptance and understanding of other people because it is only with the understanding and acceptance of others that a normalized life is possible for handicapped people all anyone has to do is treat people who have epilepsy cereal palsy or are mentally as they deserve to be treated as human beings who want neither pity nor a free ride they simply want a chance [Music]