Friday, August 22, 2008

UK Groups Promote Sex & Relationships for People with LD


Author’s Note: The United Kingdom disability community uses the term learning disability (LD) to refer to individuals who have intellectual disabilities (ID)/cognitive delay/mental retardation (MR). As used in the UK, it does not equate with the U.S. definitions of learning disability.

UNITED KINGDOM— Several organizations in the UK have launched programs to address the sexual health and relationship needs of people with learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities). ENABLE Scotland (http://www.enable.org.uk/) launched “Dates n Mates”, a dating service for people with LD/ID. Organizers aim to counter the discrimination many people with intellectual disabilities face in the area of intimate relationships, dating, and friendships. “Dates n Mates” will operate in conjunction with other charitable groups. The Family Planning Association, a top UK sexual health organization also provides relationship and dating resources for people with disabilities and disability-related professionals (fpa; http://www.fpa.org.uk/). Training is available in diverse areas, including autism spectrum disorders and sexuality and positive sexuality for adults with LD. Supporters of these programs say accessible information about sex and relationships helps reduce the risk of exploitation and abuse.

SOURCES:
“Disability Sex Campaign” (audio only story)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7576455.stm
“Would Like to Meet … But Not Be Judged”
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.2329615.0.Would_like_to_meet_but_not_be_judged.php
RELATED:
Disabled World
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/disabilitysexuality.shtml
Sex, Dating and Disability: How to Help Youth Make Healthy Choices
http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/192/over11.html

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool story.
Sandy H.

Anonymous said...

U.K group is doing a great job by providing the platform for the ID/LD people to gain the on hand knowledge/learning for sex and relationship. They do have the right to have the good relationship and also the appropriate knowledge of sex. This will reduce the exploitation/abuse of sex and emotional relationship for these people. This will be a giant step towards bringing the LD/ID people to the MAIN STREAM society. If we go back to the history, we see a pattern that we are slowly recognizing people with disabilities. Initially people did not care for them even though they needed more care. Even their parents were embarrassed to have a disabled child in their families and the society considered them both a burden and a curse. But now in this century, the state and Federal Government has started interfering and has made laws to support the people with different types of disabilities. We have reached to the point where these people have started getting special rights and laws in their favor, so that they can lead independent. In 1990, there was a law written for personal language. All this shows that society is moving towards the recognition of their better/independent life.
The present move is a step toward their satisfaction of living better quality of life. This move will reduce the possibility of sexual abuse; instead it will give them knowledge and enjoyment of relationships.
I really support this move and appreciate the movement.
The only consideration is that we need to ensure that people shall implement this program with caution of not misusing while teaching.

-Vinod P.

Anonymous said...

Mariana GG

I really feel satisfied with the fact that there is a campaign developed specificity to people with intellectual disabilities/learning disabilities and sexual related issues. This shows that society is slowly changing the negative stereotyping and old taboos about people with disabilities, and something is actually been put into action. The fact that there is a dating service especially for people with LD/ID sounds exiting and modern. I believed people with disabilities have the right to enjoy relationships to the fullest, which to many people includes a sexual active life. Sexual education is also a priority, because by educating this population abuse may be identified and stopped.
Furthermore, I think that eliminating negative stereotypes would have tremendous impact on the lives of people with disabilities. And, I say this because I had a personal experience related to the topic. Just a few years from now a wedding took place. A man who has Down syndrome wanted to get married to a woman who also had Down syndrome. The problem was that the family did not want this to happen and they really tried hard to stop the wedding. I thought the situation was very unfair, however at the end they did married and they are still together. Those kinds of situations are very powerful, people are able to see that people with disabilities can be independent, have real relationships, have a sexual life and enjoy life.

Anonymous said...

I admire what U.K group is doing for this people with ID/LD. I think every human has the right to inform them self about sex and they have the right to have a relationship. Rocio D.

Anonymous said...

what a great idea. I think this is very helpful with ID/LD people. I mean this is an advantage to people that have fear of getting involved in a relationship. Learning about safe sex and what is a good relationship can help people overcome many fears or questions they have. This is a big step for many people that consider getting involved in this program. What a helpful way to help others in need!!
Jennifer Garces

Anonymous said...

The problems and challenges persons with disabilities face when dating are daunting. For example there are issues of access for those individuals who rely on wheel chairs for mobility that impact decisions on when and where a date can successfully take place. Contact between individuals with disabilities would seem to be enhanced with this type of dating service devoted to persons with disabilities. To expand the service further in the relm of sexuality for persons with Learning Disorders should result in more positive encounters that could lead to the oppertunity and ability to have sexual relations. Russell A.

Anonymous said...

This is a positive step in the right direction educating, providing awareness, and helping to abolish stereotypes, and negative thinking in people's sexual relationships in relation to their disabilities. Much like it has been done in the West with public school carrying the torch with sex Ed, this is needed to clarify, the facts and myths associated with sex at its most basic levels. This could have the potential to help the target audience learn the difference, consciences involved in, and protection as well as forms of sexual relations in budding relationships, as well as long term relationships. A program like this could be the difference between a misunderstanding with a sexual partner with a disability either both or one, involved which could keep a situation from escalating to a misunderstanding, unprotected sex, sexual positions which would be harmful to another partner, and a base line of facts to work with. Although in the West I can see how some groups, such as religious liberals might try and condone such a program as being either immoral, a form of advantage being taken upon the disabled, or other people who may believe that such a program is simply not needed, unwarranted, or a waste of funds. I believe groups such as mentioned would be the hardest people to win over, or work around/against in support of such a group instead of finding willing people interested in learning the mired of sexual information which can be gained to heighten their relationships with people or between people with varying degrees of disabilities.

Christopher W.
4/12

Anonymous said...

What a great doing for the UK, who says that individual with any type of disability is not allowed to have sex or date other individuals. I know that we live in a socity that is always thinking the worst of individual with disabilities. We need to start advocating more and makin a difference in their lives. As one individual said, everyone has the right to have a relationship.

Jenny G.

Anonymous said...

great idea... teaching about sex and relationships is a great start. not only would it be beneficial to people with learning disabilities but the parents as well. parents tend not to talk to their children about sex. the only thing that bothers me is that i hope someone is monitoring the website. you do not want someone pertaining to have a disability or pertaining to be someone else and the take advantage of people with disabilities. we have seen this in sites like my space. older individuals chating with young (teen)and taking advantage of them. i feel that people with ID/LD might feel lonely and might get involved with people that just want to take advantage of someone. Angie K.

Anonymous said...

Providing information and educating us as society that people with disabilities are entitled to have relationships and have sex. A class that I am taking at UTPA we discussed the history, cultures and views on disabilities. Long ago people with disabilities were not allowed to be in relationships and were viewed as a weaker species, and were not allowed to have children. This has changes all though people still have their beliefs on sex/marriage and disability there are no law preventing this to occur. I would think the only difficulty a people with a disability would have is the way society perceives this and the way the society acts out on it, for example here in the Valley. In many sociable locations people will stare if someone or something is not norm, making someone or something out of place, as though they are not equal and this would cause more harm. By proving article and education people about these issues will allow people to become familiar with disabilities and sex.
MM-M Munoz

Anonymous said...

Great idea to help peopple with ID/LD. To learn to have sexual intercourse safely, and what is a healthy relationship,is always helpful. Also shows that there are kind people out there that have a heart to inform about important issues like this, which in the long run it'll pay off.
Raquel M

Anonymous said...

I found this article very interesting, personally I agree with the article. I have a sister that has an intellectual disability, and we never saw it as barrier for her not to have a healthy sexual appetite or to be dating. My parents were always a little over protective when she was younger. But now she is married and has two little girls that she take good care of. I believe it is a good to promote safe sex for a person with an intellectual disability, or for any person with a disability. Sex is not only for pleasure but it also gives you a better insight of yourself; well at least I experienced that.
Crystal S.

Anonymous said...

I think having sessions about sex and relationships are great for people with LD/ ID. Some people may be afraid to ask for advice or ask to have questions answered. in this case now everyone has an oppurtunity to educate themselves on a major part of a individuals life! love and commitment!

Joelia N.

Anonymous said...

I found this article to be very intersting. In a way I do agree with this article and on the other hand I don't. I do find it awesome that the U.K is offering to teach people who have learning disablities about sex and relationships. Everyone needs to have some sort of relationship either with a friend or opposite sex. People who have a learning disablity should be thought right from wrong, when it comes to sex or having a relationship. I find it being very helpful on having a U.K. group promte sex and relationships for people with a learning disablity, but I wouldn't want someone to take advantage of someone who is not ready to learn or capable to grasp the understanding of sex and relationships. I did was a movie about a lady who had cerebal palsy who got married and had a baby and her husband didn't have a disability but they ended up having a divorce becasue it was to much for him. He had to take care of his wife and his baby. I just think more thought has to be put into this and the person who has a learning disability should be able to understand sex and relationships.
Tracy S.

Anonymous said...

I found this article to be very interesting. I went onto both of the links and I must agree with what these groups are trying to accomplish. People with ID/LD have sexual desires as well as people without ID/LD. They may not always know of ways to find a partner and with this sort of help, they will not only will they find a partner; they will also have safe sex. These groups will allow people with intellectual disabilities to make friends with others who share the same difficulties that they do. They can build relationships with others and it does not necessarily have to be sexual. These types of organizations can also help people with ID/LD learn family planning in case they have the aspiration to have children and encourage them to do it in case their family is not very supportive.
Nancy C.
2 of 12

Anonymous said...

My research for psychosocial aspects of disability was on Down Syndrome. I found a number of articles on sexuality of people with Down syndrome, or rather, how much sexuality caregivers will allow. People with intellectual disability are treated as children. They have adult bodies, and usually adult desires. They usually develop relationships with
members of the opposite sex. However, they are supervised like children are. If their caregivers are careful, or strict, they have only as much opportunity for contact with the opposite sex as the caregivers will allow.

In the case of people with Down Syndrome, a majority of caregivers agree that they should have the opporuntunity for relationships with the opposite sex, and probably a sex life. This does not mean that a lot have a sex life, because that requires actually arranging the opportunity for a sexual encounter. Most caregivers are uncomfortable arranging those details.

Arranging dates sounds like a good idea. I found in my research that people in Great Britain and Spain are a lot more creative in programs for people witn Down Syndrome than we are in the United States.

People with intellectual disabilty vary in intelligence and maturity over a broad spectrum. They are not identical in IQ amd potential. They should be given more opportunities and should be looked at as individuals, rather than as members of a broad class of people.
Davidw 12th blog

Anonymous said...

There are so many problems and challenges related to sexuality that people with disabilities face when they are entering the phases of adulthood. Not only do they face accessibility issues in some cases, but they face the stigmas of that other people may have against people with disabilities dating or having sex. I find it hypocritical that people would interfere in other people’s lives when they would not want someone interfering in theirs. I am glad to see that there are more positive views coming out and that there are programs in place to help people with disabilities in that area. Sexual health for people with disabilities is an area that has often been neglected and I am happy that it is finally coming to the attention of more people. Hopefully, we will get more rehabilitation majors who will want to help in this arena. Celena M

Anonymous said...

I feel what the United Kingdom is offering for the individuals with disabilities is very rewarding and should be inspiring to other nations. I do feel there is a lack of knowledge in regards to sex, health, and relationship needs of people with disabilities. I feel this program is very essential in gaining knowledge and information to help those that are in need of assistance. I do feel in regards to relationships, sex, and health, these are all very important yet difficult areas in our daily lives. Personally I feel that “Dates n Mates” should not be limited to individuals with disabilities yet be open to the entire public. I feel that if any individual would like to gain more knowledge in these areas they should be able to attend. Moreover, I honestly believe there are many individuals who would have considered someone with a disability as a partner but were afraid and had no idea what to expect. Therefore, the relationship failed even before it could start.
Caleb B.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Rocio D, everyone should be entitled to their own relationship. It has been proven relationship help reduce stress, illness and build happiness.

Anonymous said...

I believe that it is wonderful that organizations in the United Kingdom have launched programs to address the sexual health and relationship needs of people with intellectual disabilities and to counter the discrimination many people with intellectual disabilities face in the area of intimate relationships, dating, and friendships. I feel that the myth that individuals who are disabled do not think about sex or should not think about sex is unreasonable and absurd. I also feel that the United States has a long way to go in regards of accepting individuals with disabilities, let alone the fact that many individuals who are disabled do think about sex. We all could learn from the fact that the United Kingdom established such programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, being the uptight society that we are, not much will happen regarding the sexual heath and relationship needs of people with disabilities until the American society completely accepts all individuals with said disabilities and accepts the fact that sex is just a normal function of life and should not be looked down upon or keep as such a taboo subject.
Matthew V.

Anonymous said...

I find it very positive that the UK groups are promoting safe sex and relationships for people with intellectual disabilities. I believe we all have the right to have a relationship with the opposite sex regardless of a present disability. It is great that these people are actually promoting safety along with it.

Karen L.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great program. People with these types of disabilities are often not seen datable beings. Because of their disability they are not even seen as able parents. On the other hand, they are more likely to get abuse of raped because of their disability. I agree that this program will serve to stop some abusement of individuals with mental retardation or other intellectual disabilities. With this program these individuals will have the freedom to find friends or partners and will not be taken advantage of. I hope these programs will soon be popular. Special education teachers can post ads of these programs so that their students can be aware of them and feel free to check them out.
-Elizabeth H.

Anonymous said...

Yes celena people with disabilities face much more than just accessibility issues
-Elizabeth H.

Anonymous said...

I think is great that they are giving information about sexuality on people with disabilities, i think that everyone should explore this area no matter if you have a disability or not. Also, I do not think that if people with LD affect their life, I think that would help them to understand other areas.
Emma C.

Anonymous said...

Evereyone is entitled to live a normal life. and part of a normal life includes sex. I have witnessed the stigma surrounding disability and sex firsthand, comments and beleifs by the uneducated imbecils (sorry I get a bit hot on this issue. I think the U.K. is taking a good step in the right direction. If only the U.S. would follow suit.

Joshua P.

Anonymous said...

Response:
I agree with your statement about the need for society to see that "people with disabilities can be independent, have real relationships, have a sexual life and enjoy life." However, changing negative societal attitudes is seemingly slow as is evidenced by the United Kingdom article I commented on. Please see the United Kingdom blog and give your response to it. Thanks-
Diana F.