LTStraipsnio tikslas – nustatyti, kaip užtikrinamas žmogaus orumas teikiant socialines paslaugas asmenims su negalia. Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas skirtingų žmogaus orumo sampratų ir praktinio orumo užtikrinimo globos įstaigose santykis. Skiriamos dvi pagrindinės orumo sampratos: 1) statiškas, universalus orumas, grindžiamas įgimta individo verte; 2) dinamiškas, santykinis socialinis orumas, priklausomas nuo atitikties visuomenės nustatytiems standartams. Pirmoji orumo samprata kyla iš Kanto laisvo žmogaus moralės sampratos, pagal kurią žmogaus gebėjimas elgtis moraliai daro jį iš esmės vertingą, todėl žmonės negali būti naudojami kitų tikslams. Antroji orumo samprata grindžiama ne prigimtine individo verte, o tuo, ką socialinė aplinka laiko orumu ir kokių galimybių reikia norint gyventi orų gyvenimą. Kadangi įvairiose socialinėse praktikose orumas pagal šią sampratą gali būti prarastas, svarbu analizuoti, kaip praktiškai stengiamasi ir nepažeisti žmogaus orumo, ir jį skatinti. Tyrimo duomenys surinkti pusiau struktūruoto interviu metodu. Tyrimo duomenų analizės metodas – turinio analizė, išskiriant kategorijas ir subkategorijas, pagrindžiant patvirtinamaisiais teiginiais. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad socialiniai darbuotojai globos įstaigose žmogaus orumą supranta kaip pagarbos, savarankiškumo, emocinio saugumo, bazinių poreikių patenkinimo ir privatumo gerbimo principą.Tyrimo dalyviai orumą apibrėžė tiek pagal kantiškąjį savarankiško moralaus subjekto suvokimą, tiek kaip konstruojamą socialiai – per praktinę savirealizaciją, tiek negatyviai – kaip orumo pažeidimų nebuvimą. Praktiškai orumo principas globos namuose yra užtikrinamas individualizuota pasirinkimo laisve, pagarbiu bendravimu, privatumo užtikrinimu, savarankiškumo skatinimu ir socialinių ryšių palaikymu. Taigi tyrimas atskleidė skirtingų orumo sampratų derinimą praktiškai teikiant socialines paslaugas. Paslaugų gavėjų orumas apima pagarbą individualiai asmenybei, paremtą vidiniu žmogaus orumu, bet taip pat yra integruotas į kasdienį asmenų su negalia gyvenamąjį pasaulį, garantuojant sprendimų priėmimo, socialinio dalyvavimo ir asmeninės erdvės principų įgyvendinimą. Reikšminiai žodžiai: žmogaus orumas, asmenys su negalia, Kanto orumo samprata, socialinis orumas, orumo užtikrinimas.
ENThe article examines the relationship between different concepts of human dignity and the practical promotion of dignity in care institutions. Two main concepts of dignity are distinguished: 1) static and universal dignity based on the inherent value of the individual; 2) dynamic and relational social dignity, shaped by prevailing standards of society. The first concept of dignity is based on Kant’s concept of the morality of a free person, which states that a person’s ability to behave morally makes him inherently valuable, therefore people cannot be used for the purposes of others. The second concept of dignity is based not on the inherent value of the individual, but on what the social environment considers dignity and what opportunities are needed to live a dignified life. Since dignity, according to this concept, can be lost during social practices, it is important to analyse how practical efforts are made both not to violate and to promote human dignity. The object of the article - promotion of human dignity. The goal of the research - to determine how human dignity is ensured when providing social services to persons with disabilities. Research objectives: 1) to reveal different theoretical perspectives on the concept of dignity; 2) to analyse how the dignity of persons with disabilities is ensured in practice; 3) to identify the implications of different treatment for the practical maintenance of dignity.The research data were collected using a semi-structured interview method. The method of analysis was content analysis, distinguishing categories and subcategories, based on affirmative statements. The research was conducted in three social care institutions participating in the deinstitutionalization process and implementing the inter-institutional cooperation project “Growing up together: competence and community in care homes” in 2025–2027, one of the main goals of which is to ensure the dignity of a person with a disability. They all provide long-term, short-term and temporary respite social care services for persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, as well as community services, such as group living homes and sheltered housing services. One of the institutions operates in the Vilnius region, two others in the Kaunas region. The study involved 12 social workers from 2 to 22 years of work experience in social care homes, working with persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and mental health. The results of the research showed that social workers in care institutions understand human dignity as the principle of respect, autonomy, privacy and attention for individual needs. Dignity is associated with the opportunity to be heard, make decisions, have one’s own space and manage one’s life. The institutions emphasize that every person is valuable, and their opinions and needs must be respected both in everyday life and in the provision of services. At the same time, practical provision of services is based on different understandings of dignity.The research revealed that participants defined dignity in various ways, sometimes not fully realizing the differences. Dignity was often defined through its practical implementation (satisfaction of physiological needs, assistance, provision of services) or negatively through the absence of violations of dignity (such as humiliation, discrimination, disclosure of information). In cases where social workers attempt to conceptualize the concept of dignity other than through practical examples, then the Kantian influence becomes evident in the definitions of dignity they provide. The emphasis on respect which all human beings deserve shows that human dignity is understood as a universally valid moral value that creates an equal relationship. Although Kant derived human dignity from the ability to be rational and moral, he primarily linked it to the concept of a free agent. Even in the case of persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, social workers emphasize that they provide freedom to choose and decide. It is precisely this ability for a person to make decisions for themselves that is the essential condition for a free and dignified person. Thus, by emphasizing this right to self-determination, the informants essentially repeat the Kantian definition of people as ends, not merely means. [...] Keywords: human dignity, persons with disabilities, Kant’s concept of dignity, social dignity, ensuring dignity.