Valor Award

Call for Nominations

Psychology Interest Network’s Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award

What’s in a name?

Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger was the originator of Social Role Valorization and the Normalization Principle, concepts that strongly influenced disability policy and practice in the US and Canada. He was widely recognized as a major contributor to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the 20th century. He had a reputation for being a stirring and controversial speaker in the sense that he strongly advocated for those with intellectual disabilities from the basic premise that all people have value.

The concept of valor is often reserved for military courage. Yet “great courage in the face of danger” can rightfully be applied to those who advocate for vulnerable populations. Certainly, a man who epitomized this quality is Wolf Wolfensberger. Therefore, this award recognizes that bravery found within our field while continuing to honor a courageous pioneer.

Purpose and Focus of the Recognition

The Psychology Interest Network (PIN) of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is pleased to seek nominations for the Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award. Through this award, the PIN seeks to recognize and acknowledge an outstanding mental health and/or psychology professional who embodies the courageous spirit of Wolf Wolfensberger through practice and/or research that amplifies the inherent dignity of all people. This award may also be used to recognize mental health and/or psychology professionals that have faced significant adversity in their pursuit of justice for all people.

Award Criteria

Nominee’s courageous actions should be well documented according to the outlined procedure below. Nominees do not have to be members of AAIDD or PIN.

1. Demonstrates sound judgement, courage, ability, and the use of learned skills even in the face of adversity and risk to professional standing, in act or acts that promote justice.

2. Demonstrates through their own research, clinical practice, or political activism a commitment to advancing social inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. 

3. Demonstrates, in one’s personal and professional life, the commitment to standing against discriminatory and oppressive practices.

4. Demonstrates, in one’s personal and professional life, a commitment to listening to and respecting the voices of people with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Nomination Procedure

1. Nominations for PIN’s Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award recognition should be submitted to the AAIDD PIN Award Committee Chair by Friday, February 28, 2025.

2. Nominations should include sufficient information that demonstrates a nominee’s accomplishments, which may include the following:

a) a resume/curriculum vita

b) a brief biographical statement

c) a description of articles published, writings, etc.

d) a description of professional and practical experiences related to the field of developmental disabilities

e) a rationale for consideration of the nominee’s valor that rises above typical work expectations.

3. No less than three members of the PIN Executive Committee will review all nominations and offer a recommendation to entire Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will make the final decision for this award.

4. The award will be presented at PIN’s luncheon during the national AAIDD Annual Meeting.

5. The award recipient will be asked to deliver a short presentation upon receiving the award.