This paper presents a case study of a young woman in segregated (handicapped-only) residential and educational environments. Qualitative research methods were used to gain an understanding of her lifestyle, as well as the organizational behavior of two human service agencies, in terms of normalization outcomes proposed by McCord (1983). By focusing on a single individual within the agencies, discrepancies between each agency's stated philosophy of normalization and actual behavior within the organization became apparent. Examples of the discrepancies are presented in five areas: (a) prosthetic equipment, (b) home and classroom materials, (c) agency goals and individual programs, (d) agency standards, and (e) transitions to normalized services. Finally, normalization is discussed in terms of the actual impact of human services on specific individuals.
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