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The broad concept of normalization can be implemented by some subsidiary principles, and I want very quickly to name them to you so you can see that we really have a frame of reference through which we can tackle our problems in a sensible and thoughtful basis.

The first principles by which the Scandinavians implement normalization is integration, which refers to those measures and practices which maximize a retarded person's community living and community participation. Of course, there are degrees to this, very obviously. But the main point is that we should not be exclusive, but inclusive. Individualization as an essential feature of normalization assures social approval by granting maximum integration into those normal life patterns of which a retarded person is capable at any given time. This simply means a complete turning away from past practices. Let me give you an example. There is now in the State of Illinois a project on the drawing board -- it has gone through preliminary approval -- where they have for a group of severely and profoundly retarded individuals a plan with houses for eight. I did not say units; I said houses for eight, in order to have a grouping where one can do a maximum job of integration. There are other states trying to move in this direction. Let me not be tempted to tell more about this.

Dispersal is the other principle the Scandinavian countries use. Of course, you have started out on a very important aspect of this with the establishment of the Regional Centers. And in that respect, may I say I am very happy that you have not committed one mistake which has cost progressive Connecticut headaches no end. Connecticut has combined its regional centers with residential facilities and now the whole concept of the Regional Center and its basic function which you have well defined here in your State is, in Connecticut, in extreme danger. This is so because the fellow who runs the residential facility for 200 human beings is so taken up with it, has to worry so much about important things like toilet paper -- and I happen to believe that that is important -- and soap and towels and proper toilet seats and all such things, that he has no time to develop the community facilities on which the Center's activities should focus.

So, I am very happy that in your beginning dispersal you have certainly moved in the right direction, and I want to echo what was said this morning that the thought of having the existing institutions serve as regional centers would scuttle the whole plan or, at least, pervert it totally. Your State Report, of course, foreshadowed dispersal when it said you needed to develop many kinds of community related residential services.

The third one of the Scandinavian principles is specialization. You can travel through a Scandinavian country and find a little place where you see these older institutions housing, e.g, 40 aged people who live by themselves. It is a specialized institution. In other words, not only have they dispersed institutions but dispersed institutions need to be specialized because they cannot possibly serve all comers as some of our privately operated institutions have been tempted to do, and found difficult to do. Specialization, then, goes along with dispersal and means that we are going to have specialized facilities, such as for the aged, emergency homes, school homes, hostels for the people who can work in the community. And may I just add that in Sweden they now actually have developed some hostels right in an apartment house. One additional comment. When it comes to small residential facilities, we should stop building and try to use, until we have gained more experience, existing community facilities because the purpose built hostels all have a tendency to be like little institutions. Strangely, it appears to be a most difficult task to build an informal place.

The final principle in Scandinavia is one I think we have readily understood ever since the Report of President Kennedy's Panel, and that is the question of continuity. Continuity is essential in terms of available services but so is continuity between those aspects of a person's life which are supported by special services and those which are not. There is a danger that we develop continuity in such a way that we slide a fellow along from service to service and so overprotect him that he never has a chance to try and see how he might do on his own, an opportunity he should have.

This quick summary of what we have learned from the Scandinavian countries will convey to you that we can really build into our frame of reference some basic principles in such a way that we can develop rational programs. If you will in community as much as in state planning make it your habit to refer to these principles and to check yourself that you really do apply them, you will have an orderly process in which to proceed planning and not just a process to "make do."

I talked with you today in great frankness and thought I could do so because I really feel that I am among friends in California and that my long relationship with the California Council and the continuing correspondence which we have, which, by the way, never ceased even during the years I was over in Switzerland, gave me the freedom to talk with you straightforwardly.