Description
Project objective is to counteract social exclusion by improving the quality of love life of people with physical disabilities (PPD) and involving them in the mainstream of social and cultural life through disseminating professional knowledge on sexuality, physiology, sexual techniques (taking their disability into account), family planning and childcare. Additionally, project will support parents of PPD in order to help their children become self-reliant in many walks of life, as well as the partners of PPD. Thanks to various activities, PPD not only will gain specialized knowledge, but they will also improve their social competences and strengthen their relationships. There will be various types of activities: classes held during outings, stationary workshops, seminars, sports activities, and one-on-one meetings (also for PDP partners and their families). Project Partner, Íþróttafélag from Iceland will contribute their knowledge and experience in helping to activate the disabled in many walks of life, including their sex life. Project will benefit 45 PPD and a group of their parents and partners (c.a. 60 persons).
Summary of project results
"According to the Polish census of 2011 the number of people with disabilities (PD) amounted to about 4.7 million. PD are perceived by their caregivers and the community only through the prism of their disability, which unfortunately often is the sole foundation of their identity. Other aspects, like sex or social role, become not important. Sexual education of young people with disabilities in Poland is very limited. Parents avoid conversations on intimate topics or they belittle them. There is no sexual education in school curriculum. Thus, a huge developmental deficit arises, which hinders or even totally blocks reaching emotional maturity. The aim of the project was enhancing the quality of intimate life of people with motor disabilities, providing reliable knowledge on family planning, gaining independence and integrating in the social and cultural life. Thanks to the project realization 45 persons with disabilities increased their knowledge about sexuality and developed skills to communicate their needs. 45 caregivers recognized the importance of this aspect of life and started to respect PD's needs. Persons with disabilities took part in workshops - stationary (144 h) and off-site (216 h) - during which they gained knowledge on physiology, safe sexual behavior, establishing relationships, etc. The classes were conducted by reputable authorities in sexology and psychologists. Beneficiaries could use individual counseling (180 h), and also they took part in compulsory forms of motion activity and classes in nutrition and styling. Strong emphasis was put on the workshops concerning independence, breaking stereotypes and intimacy. Video clips and a short film promoting the project's idea have been produced. As well, open seminars on sexuality were held (180 h), in which people connected with the PD from all Poland took part. Beneficiaries were 45 persons disabilities, their 15 partners, 45 caregivers and about 160 seminar participants. The Partner's experience in activating PD in various spheres of life was used."
Summary of bilateral results
We realised 6 webinars in English leaded by representatives of our partners, and 5 by representatives by START. Webinars were concerned on exchange of experiences in realization of similar projects, cultural and social differences and social politic matter. The biggest problems in Poland are stereotypes, mentality or financial insufficiency. In Iceland the biggest problem are small population and big distances between places. There is more sheep than people in Iceland. Partner specializes in organizing recreational meetings and sport trainings for Disabled and ablebodied . During our visit in Iceland we got known many details of social life in this country. This country characterized with one of the highest percentage of non marital births and there is overrepresentation of genetics disorders and illnesses because of small population and gene pole. We attended trainings for Disabled in sport sections of the Partner: Boccia, archery, basketball, weight-lifting, The biggest interest in Polish experiences had Boccia trainers and players. Iceland National Team will come to Poland to take part in international competition organized by our organization in 2016. We got known technics of work with Disabled and innovative approach of Icelandic to matters related with sexual life. We have also published together. Both organizations agreed to a systematic exchange of information, if possible material, services and personal aid and joint initiatives (programs and projects) to solve social problems.