Significant issues from the normalization literature are appraised, misinterpretations discussed, and the normalization formulations' theoretical status considered. It is found that there are no comprehensive theoretical prepositions or substantial empirical evidence which offer serious challenges to normalization of the disabled. (Author/SW)

This report begins with discussion of several issues in the field of quality assurance in residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The issues include definitions of key terms, the role of ideology, major types of quality assurance, and dimensions of quality assurance. The report takes the position that primary values…

Effects of normalized living by eight severely to profoundly mentally retarded women residing in a structured community group home setting were studied over a two-year period. The group home environment emphasized normalized routines and procedures based on behavioral intervention methods. (Author)

Small community homes in England for severely and profoundly mentally retarded adults are described and compared to institutional settings and larger community units. The small homes were found to produce beneficial client functioning and high levels of staff/client interaction. The paper concludes that interaction effects are possibly more…

Data on the status of residential services for developmentally disabled persons are presented, and major concepts guiding changes in such services are identified. The role of natural (least restrictive) environments in helping disabled individuals to develop both social and personal living skills is highlighted. (CB)