SHE was a human being

AIMs: In a world where you see NPM, evidence based methods and financial cut downs it is likely that values as understanding, communication and recognition are under pressure in the professional work with people with intellectual disabilities – especially if the disability is invisible.
Methods: A phenomenological investigation based on life world interviews, observations combined with document analysis and discourse analysis – integrating perspectives of persons with invisible intellectual disabilities as well as professionals in the field.
Results: The field needs focus. Structural obstacles are obvious, but also an educational level regarding the professionals’ ability to cope with essential values, dilemmas and ethics are in focus. Many findings could be the same for the field of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In Denmark our way of fulfilling the UNConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities needs improvement.
Conclusion: Our way of dealing with otherness underlies a pressure in a modern world. Different ethical approaches should be implemented in practice as well as in educations integrating e.g. recognition, communication and “representative” ethics.