European Approaches and Innovations in Serving the Handicapped

Abstract

During the last 30 years, there has been much progress in the treatment of the handicapped in a number of countries in Western Europe. Some of the advances that deserve international attention because of their high quality or uniqueness have occurred in the following areas: vocational training, sheltered workshops, the new educateur profession, the role of voluntary organizations, the normalization principle, the anthroposophic schools and villages, the lekoteks or preschool centers, special purpose institutions like the Beitostolen Health Sports Center and the Pestalozzi International Children's Village, instructional and architectural innovations, noncompetitive sports and outdoor activities, and the beautification of the schools through art. All countries have much to learn from each other.