Wolf Wolfensberger - 1934-2011
Dr Wolfensberger made a huge contribution to people with disabilities. He was a visionary, a devastating analyst and honest critic. He was also controversial and ignited many debates, involving strong differences of view.
Professor Emeritus Wolf Wolfensberger passed away on Monday 28th February, 2011.
Dr Wolfensberger made a huge contribution to people with disabilities. He was a visionary, a devastating analyst and honest critic. He was also controversial and ignited many debates, involving strong differences of view.
In 1999, seven major developmental disability organizations in the US proclaimed Dr Wolfensberger one of the 35 parties that had been the most impactful on "mental retardation" worldwide in the 20th century.
He was perhaps best known for developing social role valorisation theory from his, and Nirje's, concepts of normalisation.
Dr Wolfensberger also developed the concept of citizen advocacy, facilitating long-term relationships between a person with disability (or other vulnerable people) and a volunteer citizen. He developed PASSING, a detailed methodology for assessing disability services with regard to how well they rate on the needs of the people they serve. He authored over 40 books and monographs, over 250 chapters in books and many journal articles.
Many people who have disabilities have benefited from his work in a change in focus from disability as a medical issue, or captives of care to one where a good life means living with others and in settings that are normally valued in our society. His work was instrumental in the deinstitutionalisation of thousands of people with disabilities. It has informed disability advocacy.
Dr Wolfensberger's work is lasting and cannot be ignored. He inspired many people, practices and policies. .
For the full story, visit http://ndisonline.blogspot.com/2011/03/wolf-wolfensberger-1934-2011-thank-you.html
