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Carl Thompson Madeleine Sobb. We are representing the:. A subsidiary of the:. SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance). Raising awareness and encouraging attitudinal change. SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance). Why We Exist. Insufficient representation
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Carl Thompson Madeleine Sobb We are representing the: A subsidiary of the:
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Raising awareness and encouraging attitudinal change
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Why We Exist • Insufficient representation • Existing education programs are geared towards prevention and safety • Distinct need for empowering sex-related education • To educate the general public, not solely those with disabilities
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) How We Exist Addressing the aforementioned unmet need, the Sexuality & Disability Alliance (SDA) was funded in late 2011 by the:
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) How We Run • 10 core volunteer members, including YDAS staff and others • Bimonthly meetings • Predominantly youth led and focussed, yet everyone is welcome
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) We Want Sexual Equality • Regardless of moral or religious beliefs, sex-related choices and opportunities that are available to non-disabled people should be available to those with disabilities – this includes, but is not limited to: • Reproductive rights • Equal access to sex education • Access to sex workers if required • The eradication of forced sterilisation • And…
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Sexual Facilitation- A Sore Point - • Facilitated sex is defined as assistance in performing a sexual activity provided by someone who provides personal care or assistance to a person with a disability • This assistance could include positioning the person for masturbation or for sex with a partner, helping her or him undress, supporting the person to attend a date, club or swingers’ party, purchasing or setting up pornography or organising the services of sex workers (Shuttleworth, 2004; 2000)
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Sexual Facilitation- Why? - • The purpose of sexual facilitation is to provide the necessary support for the person with a disability to express their sexuality
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Sexual Facilitation- Guidelines - • Match the appropriate support worker to the person with a disability • Be aware and respectful of individual values and comfort levels • Be clear about that kind of assistance that will be provided and the boundaries within which this assistance will take place • Maximise independence • Respect the Law
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) What We’ve Done You can’t escape it! But that’s not a bad thing: We currently have 462 members of our Facebook community, where people are encouraged to ask questions and provide support to each other
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) What We’re Planning To Do Our current focus involves a two branch approach: Website Research
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) SDA Research Pioneering sex and disability academics, Dr George Taleporos and Dr Russell Shuttleworth are members of SDA
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) SDA Research- Continued - • This exploratory research will be undertaken using various research methods: • A series of focus groups • A research questionnaire • Broadly, we intend our planned research to frame the scope of our planned website • Initially based in Victoria, yet scope for national research
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) SDA Website • Websites relating to sex are either explicit or precautionary • Websites relating to disability can often be dull, pedestrian and uninformative We want to change that!
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) SDA Website- Continued - • Whilst acknowledging the health-related risks, we want our website to extol the benefits of sexual empowerment • We want our website to have personal stories by people with disability, such as this video by SDA member, Jarrod:
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Low Expectations
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) But finally, what does the SDA all boil down to?
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) I may not want to see a strip show But shouldn’t I have the choice?
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) But shouldn’t I have the same rights as others? I may not want to have a baby
SDA (Sexuality & Disability Alliance) Thanks for your time!