Disability and Sexuality Forum 2010 - Josie Prioletti

Disability and Sexuality Forum March 2010

1. Reasons for the forum
“ Asexuality” is the rarest medical condition in the world, yet, we rarely discuss sexuality in relation to people with disabilities.
There is a vast range of legislation/standards and Community Services Training (Cert 3 & 4 Disability Studies):
Disability Discrimination Act
Equal Opportunity Act
Disability Service Standards etc.

These state that people with disabilities:
Have the same rights as all citizens
Should be empowered to make choices
Live in the “least restrictive way” and “experience dignity of risk”
Personal values have an impact on how we provide services – how does this impact on the services we provide for people with disabilities?

2. Aims of the forum
To raise awareness of the barriers and needs of people with disabilities meeting their sexual needs.
To create an environment to openly discuss sexuality, dignity of risk and values/conflict of values that may arise in your workplace.
To review/consider the support provided to clients in the area of sexuality
To demystify the sex industry and sex workers

To discuss some options and resources available for people with disabilities.
To assist you to consider responses to issues to affirm the rights of people with disabilities.
An opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.

DHS Sexuality policy 2009
Key points raised in the policy:
People with a disability have the right to explore, express and act according to their own values and attitudes. Like other citizens, people with a disability have a wide range of values and attitudes towards personal relationships, and these values and attitudes may change over time.

Staff must respect the values and attitudes of people with a disability, and any decisions or actions based on those regardless if staff disagree with or share the same values.
People with a disability have a right to engage in relationships of their choice.
Staff must ensure all information about the personal relationships of a person with a disability are kept private unless the person consents to disclosure, or duty of care or legal issues require disclosure.

For people with a disability living in a DHS facility:( 2008)
NOW CHANGED
Staff must ensure they do not provide direct support for a person to access a sex worker, nor allow DHS premises to be used for the purposes of providing the services of a sex worker. Taken from website: www.dhs.vic.gov.au

3. Scenarios for discussion
For each of the following scenarios, discuss with your group
Service barriers/limits/expectations
Your feelings/thoughts/preferred options

A Client (adult )wants to learn how to masturbate
A married couple who both have physical disabilities need some physical support(needs assistance with positioning) in order to have sex
A person with a mild intellectual disability is keen to have a child with her partner (as a sole parent) but will require support as they have no immediate family and limited friends?
A client (physical disability) is keen to meet a partner and has been unsuccessful after numerous attempts with on line dating.He now appears to be rather depressed.

A client asks for your assistance to
Purchase a vibrator
Switch on a vibrator
Use a vibrator
2. You are Tim’s support worker. Tim is 25 years old and lives with cerebral palsy. Tim has asked you to support him to visit a prostitute.
3. You work for a couple who both have severe physical disabilities. They ask for your assistance to have sex.

4. DHS Sexuality policy 2009
Key points raised in the policy:
People with a disability have the right to explore, express and act according to their own values and attitudes. Like other citizens, people with a disability have a wide range of values and attitudes towards personal relationships, and these values and attitudes may change over time.

Staff must respect the values and attitudes of people with a disability, and any decisions or actions based on those regardless if staff disagree with or share the same values.
People with a disability have a right to engage in relationships of their choice.
Staff must ensure all information about the personal relationships of a person with a disability are kept private unless the person consents to disclosure, or duty of care or legal issues require disclosure.

For people with a disability living in a DHS facility:( 2008)
NOW CHANGED
Staff must ensure they do not provide direct support for a person to access a sex worker, nor allow DHS premises to be used for the purposes of providing the services of a sex worker. Taken from website: www.dhs.vic.gov.au

Disability and Sexuality Forum 2010 - Josie Prioletti

by field - furthering inclusive learning and development on Mar 23, 2010

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Disability and Sexuality Forum 2010 - Josie Prioletti — Presentation Transcript

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