GLOBAL UPDATE: Saudi, Ghana, and the UK

This Global Update includes summaries from Saudi Arabia, Ghana, and the United Kingdom.

SAUDI ARABIA:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosts the Third International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, a global forum on disability from March 22 to 26. Crown Prince Sultan, who chairs the Sultan Charitable Foundation, sponsors the Conference. Two hundred and thirty free tickets are available to local and international delegates, and Saudi Arabian Airlines is the official air carrier of the conference. The Saudi Press Association says, “The conference will focus on worldwide scientific research conducted in areas related to disability and rehabilitation” that positively affect the lives of people with disabilities.
Read the full Story on Arab News: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=119535&d=24&m=2&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

GHANA:
The Disability Network, Ghana’s primary disability group calls for President John E. Atta-Mills to “fulfill his promise of forming an all-inclusive government” by appointing at least one person with a disability to a Ministry position. Emmanuel Sackey, Communications Officer of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Alexander Kojo Tetteh, Executive Director of the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, and Charles Appiagyei, acting Executive Director of Action on Disability and Development (ADD) have joined the call for inclusion. The leaders note a high profile person with a disability will serve as a role model for other individuals and begin a process of more full inclusion for all people.
Read the full story on All Africa: http://allafrica.com/stories/200902270804.html

UNITED KINGDOM:
Cerrie Burnell, host of “Do and Discover” on the BBC's “Cbeebies” children’s television show is at the center of a disability-related controversy. Burnell was born with one of her arms foreshortened and has been the target focus of parent complaints. Parents are concerned that Burnell’s appearance will frighten their children and cause them sleepless nights. Fortunately, most public comments have been supportive of Cerrie Burnell, and Burnell herself says "It's brilliant that parents are able to use me as a way of talking about disability with their children and for children who are similarly disabled to see what really is possible in life".
Read full stories in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/25/disability-children and in the Eastbourne Herald: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Shock-at-complaints-over-TV.5021741.jp

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