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On Thursday, September 25, Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger, an international fundamentalist in the field of human services, was presented with the first Morton J. Kent Spirit of Innovation Award. He was nominated because his work has changed the thought process about individuals with disabilities. The event was under the auspices of Orange Grove's Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center, and was held at the Walden Club.
For more than 40 years, Wolfensberger, a theorist in social role valorization (society's devaluing of others with differences), has been a voice, commentator and advocate for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The following day, at the Development Resource Center, he spoke to a capacity filled audience on "Normalization Revisited!" "Normalization Revisited!" is an exploration of the challenges of our understanding and stewardship of normalization (making everyday life and circumstances available to people with disabilities).
Dr. Wolfensberger was joined by other experts in the field for a contemporary look at, and moderated panel discussion on what relevance normalization has in society. They included:
Steve Eidelman - Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Delaware and former president of the ARC (formerly Association for Retarded Citizens of the U.S.)
Dr. Tom Cheetham - Orange Grove's physician, and one of North America's top physicians in the field of developmental and intellectual disabilities
Tom Summers - Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services
David Morris - CEO of Habitat International, whose company hires persons with disabilities
Terry Sumerall - Executive Director of Open Arms
Hal Baker - Deputy Director, Orange Grove Center, Inc.
Michael Lottman - Member Quality Review Panel, Department of Justice
The event was co-sponsored by the Orange Grove Center, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Representatives from the Mayor's Council on Disability were on hand, in addition to UTC faculty, Orange Grove staff and community opinion leaders regarding disabilities.
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