This thesis is about the importance of work for people with intellectual disabilities. The main subject of my thesis is an integration of people with mental disabilities into an society and subsequently into the work environment, which significantly contributes to the improvement of their lives. The thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter specifies a definition, a division of terms related to a mental disability and his historical development. The second chapter is about an employment of people with mental disabilities, basic human rights, also about the convention of rights of people with handicap and supporting to enter into work the environment. It is also worth to mention a free time, which is very closely related to working time. The third chapter is about social work with people with mental disabilities and possibilities to improve an quality of their social life. The last chapter explains the quality of life as the ethical value of people with mental disabilities, their education and a preservation of human dignity. The aim of this work is to find out what is the meaning of work for people with mental disabilities.

Mit dieser Arbeit soll ein Beitrag zur Aus- arbeitung einer Behindertenpädagogik geleistet werden, die sich als Teil einer Allgemeinen Pädagogik versteht. Durch die gesellschaftstheoretische Analyse soll deutlich werden, was Teilhabe an der Gesellschaft bedeutet und im Gegensatz dazu, wie sich Schließungs- prozesse darstellen. Dies ist der Ausgangspunkt das Verhältnis von Gesellschaft und Behinderung näher zu beleuchten. Damit soll ein Verständnis gewonnen werden, warum die heterogene Gruppe der Menschen mit Behinderung unter eine zentrale Definition gefasst wird, auf deren Grundlage Hilfen im Rahmen des Sozialstaats geleistet werden. Dies ist eine der Ursachen, warum diese Personengruppe vielfältigen Aus- und Einschließ- ungsprozessen unterworfen ist. Daran anschließend geht es um das gesellschaft- liche Rationalitätsmodell des Qualitäts- managements, das als aktuelles Modell der Sozial- politik aufgegriffen wurde. Trotz der sozial- politischen Verankerung herrscht noch immer Unsicherheit, was damit im Einzelnen gemeint ist. Hier treten vor allem Interessens- unterschiede hervor. Die Professionellen finden sich hier in einem Spannungsverhältnis wieder, da auf der einen Seite eine effektive Sozialarbeit (Gesetzgeber) und auf der anderen Seite umfassende Teilhabe (Adressaten) eingefordert wird. Mit einer De-Institutionalisierung existiert jedoch eine Perspektive, die beides ermöglichen könnte: Fachlich fundierte Hilfe in einem gesellschaftlich gewünschten Sinne, der jedoch nicht ausschließlich die Kosten fokussiert, sondern vor allem die Rechte der Adressaten in den Vordergrund stellt. Letzeres sichert ethische Werthaltungen der Gesellschaft, die für die Unterstützung von Menschen mit Behinderung notwendig ist. / The purpose of this dissertation is to make a contribution to the elaboration of a General Inclusive Education. In my opinion, the institutions for the disabled can learn from Social Work, which in its theoretical canon constantly deals with the role it fulfills in society. For this reason, the analysis starts with a chapter on relevant social theories which give an overview on the society we live in. Furthermore, the meaning of participation in society on the one hand and closure processes on the other hand is made clear. On the basis of this demonstration, the relation of society and disability is examined. This examination aims to gain an understanding why the heterogeneous group of persons with disabilities is classified under one central definition which serves as a basis for the provision of aids within the welfare state. This situation is one of the reasons why this group of people is subject to manifold exclusion and inclusion processes. Following that, the focus is directed towards the social rationality model of quality management. It has been taken up by social policy, because the costs of social politics have repeatedly been questioned. But despite the socio-political integration, there is still uncertainty about how “quality” is defined. There is a conflict of interests between legislators, who mainly aim at an effective social work, and the addressees, who primarily want an extensive participation. For professionals, this means a state of tension. Concepts from experts ensuring participation processes do exist; however, their realization demands a prospect of change of the structural general conditions. The process of deinstitutionalisation could make both things possible: professional help according to the wishes of society, which gives priority to the rights of the addressees and not to the cost factor. This ensures ethical values in society which are necessary for the support of people with disabilities.