Factors which contribute to normalization in residential facilities for the mentally iii.

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that normalization is significantly related to improved adaptive functioning among disabled persons. If this is so, then the concept of normalization should be taken into account in program planning. The present study suggests that characteristics of clients such as age and adaptive functioning level contribute to the achievement of high levels of environmental normalization in residential settings, but that characteristics of the residence, particularly its size, and the number of types of disability groups residing in the home, as well as the nature of the community in which the residence is located are even more important than individual characteristics. Some tentative conclusions for planning residential facilities are advanced.