I first learned the term SRV early in my career as a manager in a new electronics business called Qualitec. It was established through a joint venture with Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Oregon, USA. To demonstrate that people with disability, with high support needs, could work within a high-tech industry like electronics manufacturing and earn wages in a business and work. SRV was a keystone of the project, aiming to break down long-held stereotypes and discrimination. I also had the great privilege of meeting Dr Wolf Wolfensberger, Ph.D. (1934-2011), who developed the theory of SRV, when he visited Qualitec.
So what is Social Role Valorisation?
Dr Wolf Wolfensberger defined SRV as: “The application of what science can tell us about the enablement, establishment, enhancement, maintenance, and/or defence of valued social roles for people”
One task to help people gain a valued social role is to change how the community sees them. Being devalued is not inherent in a person; it is the community’s view and can change. Applying simple guidelines can change the community’s view of a person.
Expectations. Most people live up to or down to others’ expectations of them. People who care about those at risk of devaluation must have high expectations.
Growth. Regardless of their disadvantages, all people can learn, change, and grow. To do this often means taking risks.
Imitation. Imitation is a powerful way to learn. People at risk of devaluation need good role models and the ability to identify closely with them.
Extra Effort. People who care about people at risk of being devalued must bend backwards to compensate for the past hurt.
Community Life. People learn best to do anything by doing it where it really happens, with the people who usually do it. For prejudices against devalued people to fade, the broader community needs positive experiences with them.
Good Images. Images of people at risk of being devalued must be positive. Especially avoiding images that do not match the person’s age and images that show people grouped and set apart from the broader community.
Why are people devalued?
Social Role Valorisation concepts are essential for understanding why people and communities devalue others and for offering practical ways to reverse these devaluations.
Less Value. People from different backgrounds, cultures, ages or disabilities are often seen as being different in a negative way and viewed as having less value. They become devalued people. We often deny this because it happens unconsciously, but it is real. We must move this into the conscious mind, deal with it, and strive to change these ideas within ourselves and others.
Low Status. A devalued person is likely to be seen by others as having low status. Again, this happens unconsciously.
Fewer Opportunities. Because of their low status, devalued people are more likely to be denied opportunities and to gain respected roles. They may even be rejected or persecuted.
Consequently, helping a person at risk of devaluation find and keep a valued role is the most critical goal of SRV and for anyone who cares about changing this.
Training in SRV can be obtained by attending a PASSING workshop. PASSING is an instrument for evaluating the quality of any human service according to how well it implements Social Role Valorization theory. For more information about the theory of Social Role Valorisation (SRV), educational resources and training, visit socialrolevalorization.com