Staff as advocates, moral guardians and enablers – Using ICT for independence and participation in disability services

Abstract

Staff in residential care are key support people for young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability in everyday life. The aim of this study was to identify how staff members work with young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability to enable their independence and participation through Information and Communication Technology (ICT). A narrative approach was used to analyse focus group interviews with staff in a residential care setting. Staff members reported a variety of ways to position themselves in relation to the service-user when using ICT, such as advocates, moral guardians and enablers. These positions bring different consequences for the service-users to realize their rights as stated in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Organisational resources appear continuously in staff narratives as hindering or supporting in the use of ICT for participation purposes of young adults with ID.