Living in an ‘ordinary’ neighborhood? A care-ethical exploration of the experiences of young adults with mild intellectual disabilities

Care ethics considers the moral good as arising within practices and in people’s experiences in these practices. This contribution applies a care-ethical approach to inquire into the effects of a major change in the social domain policy in The Netherlands. The new policy is based upon the expectation that young adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities (MID) become ‘active citizens, participating in their neighborhood’, with the support of care organizations and local municipalities. Accordingly, care responsibilities were transferred to the local level (municipalities). On this level, however, basic insights were lacking concerning the needs and wishes of the young adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities, and concerning the possibilities for local collaboration. Research was performed by taking Joan Tronto’s definition of care as a starting point and applying a method adequate to capture young adults’ experiences in one municipality. We conclude that this neighborhood is not an environment wherein they can participate.