Friday, May 9th, 2025
11:15am - 12:30pm
Room 604
Concurrent Session:
Centering the works of Wolf Wolfensberger within the framework of disability supports and services
Centering the works of Wolf Wolfensberger within the framework of disability supports and services
This presentation will spotlight the contributions of one of the most influential figures in disability theory and practice, Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger, and analyze how his work has permeated services and supports for individuals with IDD. By developing a landscape analysis of the most significant ideas in disability services, the presenters will explore the long-lasting impact of Wolfensberger’s key concepts, particularly his Social Role Valorization (SRV) theory, which posits that when societies provide roles for people that are valued, this will afford them inclusion and meaningful participation. Through discussion of his earlier work on Normalization and its critical role in deinstitutionalization efforts, the presenters will identify how these theories have been implemented and adapted over time to foster the development of inclusive communities. A key objective will be to reflect on the success and challenges of these ideas, helping participants consider how foundational concepts have evolved in response to changing social and policy environments and their resonance in contemporary services for people with IDD. This presentation will lay the groundwork for a documentary film aimed at showcasing the most significant ideas that have shaped IDD services in order to educate a broader audience, beyond academia and the disability service system, on the importance of these ideas.
Presenters
Guy Caruso​
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Guy Caruso is Senior Department/Western Coordinator for the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service. He has worked in human services for 53 years both in institutional and community settings and in several capacities and as a consultant in the US and Canada. He received his master’s and Ph.D. from Syracuse University, studying and mentoring with Wolf Wolfensberger, Ph.D., where he became a teacher/trainer in Normalization and now Social Role Valorization. He is a member of the North American SRV Council and co-founder of the International SRV Association.​
Jerry Smith
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Jerry Smith is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, where he has worked since 2000. He is a creative marketing professional and award-winning documentary filmmaker. Jerry holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His films have received over 75 screenings and awards at juried festivals.