Val Bradley Included in New Documentary on Wolf Wolfensberger

The new documentary Valuing Lives: Wolf Wolfensberger and the Principle of Normalization explores the principle of normalization, an idea that challenged fundamental assumptions about people with intellectual disabilities, and the iconoclastic professor whose intense, multi-day workshops trained thousands of human services professionals in the theory and practice of this idea. In addition to archival images and footage, the film features dozens of interviews with leaders in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including HSRI President Val Bradley.

“My mentor back in Sacramento, Art Bolton, told me in the 1970s about the book, Normalization, and the powerful concept behind it -  that people with disabilities are stigmatized by their ‘separateness’ and should live, work, play, love in the same circumstances as the rest of us.  Once you’ve seen the world through that lens, you can’t go back,” said Val.

You can watch the extended interview with Val and learn more about the film at rtc.umn.edu/valuinglives. Stay tuned for details on an invitational screening and panel discussion in the Boston area in May!

Valuing Lives: Wolf Wolfensberger and the Principle of Normalization was directed by Jerry Smith; produced by Guy Caruso and Jerry Smith; executive producer Amy Hewitt.

< Back