publications referencing Wolfensberger’s work

One of the clear indicators of Wolfensberger’s ongoing influence can be seen in contemporary references to his writings. Researchers in many domains are still citing his work. I see this as a powerful sign of the relevance of his legacy. It is also an opportunity for further research, drawing on materials available online and at the Wolfensberger archives in the University of Nebraska Medical Center library. Contemporary citation of his work also provides an opening for those of us learning about, disseminating and applying his ideas to potentially learn from and collaborate with researchers.

As a sample of what I am talking about, see below. This is just a sample and there are many, many more such references.

Bates, Keith. The nature of entrepreneurship for people with learning difficulties: a narrative inquiry. A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Education. The University of Sheffield. Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Education (2022)

• Wolfensberger, W., 1983. Social Role Valorization: A Proposed New Term for the Principle. Mental Retardation, Volume 21, p. 234–239.
• Jones, S., McWade, P. & Toogood, S., 2016. Normalisation and social role valorisation, Birmingham: British Institute for Learning Disability.
• Nirje, B., 1970. The Normalization Principle – Implications and Comments. The Journal of Mental Subnormality, 16(3), pp. 62-70.

Björnsdóttir, K., Stefánsdóttir, G.V. Double Sexual Standards: Sexuality and People with Intellectual Disabilities Who Require Intensive Support. Sexuality and Disability 38, 421–438 (2020)

• Nirje, B.: The normalisation principle and its human management implications. In: Kugel, R.B., Wolfensberger, W. (eds.) Changing Patterns in Residential Services for the Mentally Retarded, pp. 179–196. Presidential Committee on Mental Retardation, Washington, DC (1969) 
• Wolfensberger, W.: A brief overview of the principle of normalization. In: Flynn, R.J., Nitsch, K.E. (eds.) Normalization, Social Integration, and Community Services, pp. 7–30. Pro ED, Austin (1980) 
• Wolfensberger, W.: A Brief Introduction to Social Role Valorization: A High-Order Concept for Addressing the Plight of Societally Devalued People, and for Structuring Human Services, 3rd edn. Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership & Change Agentry (Syracuse University), New York (1998) 

Boland, Geraldine, Eilin de Paor, and Suzanne Guerin. Living in Localities: The Factors That Influence the Social Inclusion in Neighborhoods of Adults With Intellectual Disability. A Systematic Scoping Review. INCLUSION AAIDD, 11, 1, 55–77 (2023)

• Lemay, R. (2006). Social role valorisation insights into the social integration conundrum. Mental Retardation, 44(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10. 1352/0047-6765(2006)44[1:SRVIIT]2.0.CO;2 
• Lemay, R. (2009). De-institutionalisation of peo- ple with developmental disabilities: A review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Commu- nity Mental Health, 28(1). 181–194. 
• Harlan-Simmons, J. E., Holtz, P., Todd, J., & Mooney, M. F. (2001). Building social relationships through valued roles: Three older adults and the community membership project. Mental Retardation, 39(3), 171–180. 

Bredewold, Femmianne, Simon van der Weele. Social inclusion revisited: sheltered living institutions for people with intellectual disabilities as communities of difference. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 26:201–213 (2023)

• Nirje, Bengt. 1985. The basis and logic of the normalization principle. Australian and NewZealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities 11 (2): 65–68 
• Wolfensberger, Wolf. 1972. The principle of normalization in human services. Toronto Canada: National Institute on Mental Retardation. 
• Wolfensberger, Wolf. 1983. Social Role Valorization: A proposed new term for the principle of normalization. Mental Retardation 21: 234–239. 

Breen, Tanya. “This Giant Steamroller That’s Moving Inexorably Towards You, But Very, Very Slowly”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of the Aotearoa New Zealand Criminal Justice System. A thesis submitted to Auckland University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Health Science (2021)

• Race, D., Boxall, K., & Carson, I. (2005). Towards a dialogue for practice: Reconciling social role valorisation and the social model of disabilty. Disability & Society, 20(5), 507-521. 
• Thomas, S., & Wolfensberger, W. (1999). An overview of social role valorization. In R. J. Flynn & R. A. Lemay (Eds.), A quarter century of normalization and social role valorization: Evolution and impact (pp. 125-162). University of Otawwa Press. 
• Wolfensberger, W. (1999). A contribution of the history of normalization, with primary emphasis on the establishment of normalization in North America between 1967 and 1975. In R. J. Flynn & R. A. Lemay (Eds.), A quarter century of normalization and social role valorization: Evolution and impact (pp. 51-116). University of Ottawa Press. 
• Wolfensberger, W., Nirje, B., Olshansky, S., Perske, R., & Roos, P. (1972). The principle of normalization in human services. University of Nebraska Medical Centre. 

Cluley, Victoria, Alison Pilnick, Rachel Fyson. Talking about learning disability: Discursive acts in managing an ideological dilemma. SSM – Qualitative Research in Health 2 (2022) 

• Nirje, B. (1980). The normalization principle. In R. Flynn, & K. E. Nitsch (Eds.), Normalization, social integration and community services. Baltimore: University Park Press.
• Wolfensberger, W. (1972). The principle of normalization in human services. Toronto: National Institute on Mental Retardation.
• Wolfensberger, W. (1983). Social role valorization: A proposed new term for the principle of normalization. Mental Retardation, 21(6), 234–239. 

Duffy, Simon. Citizenship and human rights. 114-130. In Simon. Fjetland, K.J., Gjermestad, A. & Lid, I.M., Eds. Lived citizenship for persons in vulnerable life situations. Theories and practices. Scandinavian University Press (2022)

• Wolfensberger, W. (2013). A brief introduction to social role valorization: A high-order concept for addressing the plight of societally devalued people, and for structuring human services (4th ed.). Plantagenet, ON: Valor Press. 

Francisco, Marian, Patricia Bea, Maria Hartman and Ye Wang. Inclusion and Special Education. Education Sciences 10(9), 238 (2020)

• Mann, G.; van Kraayenoord, C. The influence of Wolf Wolfensberger and his ideas. Int. J. Disabil. Dev. Educ. 58, 203–211 (2011)
• Wolfensberger, W. Normalization. In Leadership and Change in Human Services: Selected Readings from Wolf Wolfensberger; Race, D., Ed.; Routledge: London, UK (2003)

Garratt, Danielle, Kelley Johnson, Amanda Millear, Shaun Picken, Janice Slattery and Jan Walmsley. Celebrating Thirty Years of Inclusive Research. Social Sciences 11: 385. (2022)

• The article includes a reference to “normalisation, social role valorisation” though no source is cited.

Hewitt, Olivia, Peter Langdon, Katherine Tapp, Michael Larkin. A systematic review and narrative synthesis of inclusive health and social care research with people with intellectual disabilities: How are co-researchers involved and what are their experiences? Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 1–21 (2023)

• Wolfensberger, W. (1980). The definition of normalization: Update, problems disagreements and misunderstandings. In R. Flynn & K. Bitsch (Eds.), Normalisation, social integration and community services (pp. 71– 115). University Park Press. 
• Walmsley, J. (2001). Normalisation, emancipatory research and inclusive research in learning disability. Disability & Society, 16(2), 187–205. 

Hickey, Jane M. “Am I included?”- An Australian case study exploring the experiences of university students with ‘hidden disability. Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Victoria University. College of Arts and Education (2023)

• Wolfensberger, W. (1983). Social Role Valorisation: A proposed New Term for the Principle of Normalisation. Journal of Mental retardation 21(6), 234-239.

Krzyżanowski, Michał. Normalization and the discursive construction of “new” norms and “new” normality: Discourse in the paradoxes of populism and neoliberalism. Social Semiotics. 30:4, 431-448 (2020)

• Wolfensberger, W. 1972. The Principle of Normalization in Human Services. Toronto: NIMR.
• Wolfensberger, Wolf, and Stephen Tullman. 1982. “A Brief Outline of the Principle of Normalization.” Rehabilitation Psychology 27 (3): 131–145.

Nicoll, Madonna. “ ‘I’m a person of value’–People with intellectual disability negotiating paid support relationships. Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology (2022)

• Wolfensberger, W. (2000). A brief overview of social role valorization. Mental Retardation, 38(2), 105-123.
• Wolfensberger, W., & Tullman, S. (2002). The principle of normalisation. In B. Bytheway, V. Bacigalupo, J. Bornat, J. Johnson, & S. Spurr (Eds.), Understanding care, welfare, and community: a reader (pp. 138-150). Routledge.
• Wolfensberger, W. P., Nirje, B., Olshansky, S., Perske, R., & Roos, P. (1972). The principle of normalization in human services. National Institute on Mental Retardation.
• Traustadóttir, R. (2009). Disability studies, the social model and legal developments. In Oddný Mjöll Arnardóttir & G. Quinn (Eds.), The UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: European and Scandinavian Perspectives (pp. 1-16). Brill Nijhoff.
• Nirje, B. (1985). The basis and logic of the normalization principle. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 11(2), 65-68
• Millier, P. (1999). Normalization and social role valorization in Australia and New Zealand. In R. J. Flynn & R. A. Lemay (Eds.), A quarter-century of normalization and social role valorization: Evolution and impact (pp. 447-454). University of Ottawa Press.

Richardson, Andrew. Personalisation as contribution focused social work practice. Journal of Social Work Practice, 36:4, 385-399 (2022)

• Wolfensberger, W. (1972). The principle of normalization in human services. National Institute of Mental Retardation.
• Wolfensberger, W. (1983). Social role valorization: A proposed new term for the principle of normalization. Mental Retardation, 21(6), 234–239. 

Roden, James. “Life up your eyes”: A case study of Journey Church, Tucson, and the Gospel-receptive people at our doorstep. Great Commission Research Journal 11(2) (2020)

• Wolf Wolfensberger, quoted in Marc Tumeinski and Jeff McNair, “What Would Be Better? Social Role Valorization and the Development of Ministry to Persons Affected by Disability,” Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability 1, no. 1 (2012): 13. 

Roden, James.The Ministry of the Disabled to the Church: The Imperative and Benefits of Disability Ministry in the Church. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree, Doctor of Ministry. Biola University. Talbot School of Theology. (2022)

• Wolf Wolfensberger, “A Brief Introduction to Social Role Valorization: A High-Order Concept for Addressing the Plight of Societally Devalued People, and for Structuring Human Services” (Syracuse, NY: Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership and Change Agentry, Syracuse University, 1998).
• Wolf Wolfensberger, “The Prophetic Voice and Presence of Mentally Retarded People in the World Today,” Journal of Religion, Disability & Health 4, no. 2-3 (2001): 24. 

Tanis, Emily Shea. The Cost of Doing Business: Institutional Bias and Community-Based Services and Supports. Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy. XXVII, Number 2 (Winter 2020)

• Wolfensberger, W. The Principle of Normalization in Human Services. (1972) 
• Wolfensberger, W. A brief overview of Social Role Valorization. Ment Retard. 38(2):105-23 (2000)

Tumeinski, Marc. The gift of peace, the Church, and Christians with impairments. Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society. 48(1), 122-154 (2021) 

• Wolf Wolfensberger, A Brief Introduction to Social Role Valorization, 3^rd rev. ed. (Syracuse, NY: Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership and Change Agentry [Syracuse University], 1998)
• The Theological Voice of Wolf Wolfensberger, eds. William Gaventa and David Coulter (New York: Haworth Pastoral Press, 2001)

Walmsley, Jan. Healthy Minds and Intellectual Disability (chapter 5). 95-111. In Steven J. Taylor and Alice Brumby, Eds., Healthy Minds in the Twentieth Century: In and Beyond the Asylum (2020)

• Wolf Wolfensberger, The Principle of Normalisation in Human Services (Toronto: National Institute on Mental Retardation, 1972).
• David G. Race, ed. Leadership and Change in Human Services: Selected Readings from Wolf Wolfensberger (London: Routledge, 2003).
• Wolf Wolfensberger, “A Call to Wake Up to the Beginning of a New Wave of ‘Euthanasia’ of Severely Impaired People,” Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded, 15 (1980): 171–173, reprinted in Race, Leadership and Change, 189–191.

Woodall, Judith. Amalgamated groups as an inclusion strategy: An empirical study of how people with learning disabilities experience belonging in a local church. A thesis submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Humanities (2022) 

• Lemay, Raymond, ‘Social Role Valorization Insights into the Social Integration Conundrum’, Mental Retardation 44/1 (2006), pp. 1–12.

Yoon, Jung Hyoung, Caroline Ellison, Peggy Essl. Shifting the perspective from ‘incapable’ to ‘capable’ for artists with cognitive disability; case studies in Australia and South Korea, Disability & Society (2020)

• Aubry, T., R. J. Flynn, B. Virley, and J. Neri. 2013. “Social Role Valorisation in Community Mental Health Housing: Does It Contribute to the Community Integration and Life Satisfaction of People with Psychiatric Disabilities?” Journal of Community Psychology 41 (2): 218–235. 
• Wolfensberger, W. 1985. “Social Role Valorization: A Proposed New Term for the Principle of Normalization.” Mental Retardation 31: 234–238. 
• Wolfensberger, W. 2011. “Social Role Valorisation: A Proposed New Term for the Principle of Normalization.” Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 49 (6): 435–440. doi:10. 1352/1934-9556-49.6.435. 
• Wolfensberger, W., and S. Thomas. 1981. “The Principle of Normalization in Human Services: A Brief Overview.” In Research Highlights, No. 2. Aberdeen, Scotland: University of Aberdeen, Department of Social Work.