More information
Description
This project addresses the problem of violation of sexual rights of people with disabilities. As many as 70% of people with disabilities consider sexuality to be an important part of life, while 86% have not been given any support in this regard. Sexuality of people with disabilities is still taboo, and many stereotypes have been formed. Society does not consider people with disabilities to have sexual needs. In addition, girls and women with disabilities experience discrimination regarding reproduction rights, while LGBT+ people are frequently discriminated against due to disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The consequences of sex education not being provided include anxiety, feeling sexually unfulfilled, not engaging in romantic relationships, low self-esteem, and depression-related disorders.In the project, the Project Promoter will conduct a social campaign aimed at young people with motor disabilities and those around them. Three short films will be made telling the personal stories of people with disabilities, meetings will be held with experts online, and a series of six article will be written by experts covering topics such as body mapping, supporting children with regard to sexuality, multiple forms of exclusion, violence towards people with disabilities, sexual rehabilitation, and physiotherapy. The Project Promoter will also hold six workshops for several dozen people, including couples workshops, violence prevention workshops, or for instance workshops on sexual orientation and gender identity. A helpline will also be set up, attended by sexology and psychology specialists. The project will primarily benefit people with disabilities, who will learn more about their own sexuality and their rights, and be more willing to exercise those rights. Public awareness of sexuality of people with disabilities will also increase, and the people closest to them will be more open and inclined to acknowledge their needs.
Summary of project results
The project responds to the problem of violations of the sexual rights of people with disabilities. As many as 70% of people with disabilities consider sexuality to be an important part of their lives, yet 86% have not received any support in this area. Sexuality for people with disabilities is still a taboo subject around which many stereotypes have grown. There is a perception in society that these people do not have sexual needs. Moreover, girls and women with disabilities experience discrimination in the area of reproductive rights, and LGBT+ people are repeatedly discriminated against on the basis of disability, gender identity and sexual orientation. The consequences of lack of sex education include feelings of anxiety, lack of fulfilment in the area of sex, not entering into romantic relationships, low self-esteem, depressive disorders, among others.
As part of the project, the Project Promotor conducted a public awareness campaign targeting young people with physical disabilities and their environment. Communication activities took place largely in public spaces and on the Internet. The campaign included the production of 3 short films with personal stories of people with disabilities. An information line ‘Fully Sexual’ was also launched with on-call specialists in sexology and psychology. 7 workshops were held for 60 people with disabilities, carers and caregivers, partners or professionals supporting people with disabilities; workshops were held on building healthy relationships, setting boundaries in partner and romantic relationships, health and sexuality, pregnancy, informed parenting, gender identity and psychosexual orientation. Six expert articles on the sexuality of people with disabilities were published.
The project primarily benefited people with disabilities, who increased their knowledge of their own sexuality and their rights and will be more willing to exercise these rights. Relatives of people with disabilities were also an important target group. The campaign reached a large part of society, increasing the visibility of people with disabilities and reinforcing their image as people living their sexuality to the full. The campaign visibly addressed the taboo that is the development and sexual life of people with disabilities.