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Explore the importance of promoting healthy sexuality for individuals with disabilities, addressing issues such as asexual portrayal, normal development milestones, inappropriate sexual behavior, victimization, and the desire for healthy relationships. Learn about the impact of inadequate sexual education and the need for accurate and sensitive materials. The project aims to increase awareness, decrease stigma, improve communication, and provide disability-specific information.
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Healthy Sexuality for People with Disabilities Thea Maristuen & Erica K. Allen
Sexuality and Disability • Portrayed as asexual and childlike • Many normal developmental milestones • Inappropriate sexual behavior • Sexual victimization • Desire to engage in healthy relationships Picture: http://calcivilrights.org/
Sexuality Education and Disability • Isler et al. (2009) • Inadequate sexual education • Dukes & McGuire (2009) • Appropriate education results increased awareness and safer practices • 1 to 1 sessions
Potential Reasons • Social attitudes • Stigma • Instructor embarrassment • Policies and procedures inadequate or nonexistent • Questionable accuracy and sensitivity of materials • Fewer opportunities for appropriate experiences or information sharing
Current Project • 8 posters • Designed to • Increase awareness • Decrease stigma • Increase communication • Potential settings • Schools • Health care offices http://www.wakefieldcdi.com/
Future Directions • Evaluation of effectiveness • Increasing communication • Increasing public awareness • Decreasing stigma • Development of materials • Flexible for developmental and cognitive appropriateness • Accurate information • Disability-specific information http://www.facebook.com/ group.php?gid=6289157647
URLEND Recommendation • No cross-site discussions during seminar • Until the technology is much improved these tend to cause problems. • Using pre-seminar assignments and readings to focus on aspects of each topic prior to discussions • Trainees’ verbal participation increased significantly • Discussions of situations that happen in ANY leadership role • i.e. Dealing with group conflicts; Strategies for delegation; Ethical Dilemmas