Relationship & Sex Matters Disability Information File - Launch

On Friday, 28 January at our Centre for Independent Living, Beaufort Street, Warrington we launched our Relationships & Sex Matters Disability Information File.

Foreword

Sex and disability are rarely discussed in the same sentence. Most disabled people and carers have more pressing issues to discuss with their GP, Medical Practitioner or Social Care Worker and don't know who to turn to with their questions.

This pack aims to highlight a variety of leaflets and booklets focusing on sex and disability. Most of the resources have been produced by disability support organisations, others by organisations that realise that this is an area of concern to thousands of people. It's worth considering that during the 2001 Census 10,855,835 adults indicated that they had a disability.

There are few disabled people whose impairment prevents them from enjoying their sexuality. Having an impairment may mean rethinking ones approach to sex but it is important to realise that the way we think can create invisible barriers as much as any physical impairment. The information contained in the various resources referred to in this pack can help to improve confidence, challenge myths and misconceptions and should be promoted throughout the Health, Social Care and Voluntary Sector support networks.

Background

In 1993 members of a small local charity, formally known as Warrington Disability Information Services (now Warrington Disability Partnership), were involved in a European exchange visit to Denmark. Whilst visiting a Disabled Living Centre they were astonished to find a display cabinet with sex aids, videos and leaflets promoting good sexual health for disabled people and their partners.

On their return to Warrington they were met with a mixture of opinions when they suggested establishing a project locally. The result of this work has been positive and the outcomes include:

• Consultation with disabled people, carers and staff from Health and Social Care agencies
• The development of a partnership between WDIS and the local Primary Care NHS Trust Health Improvements Directorate
• The formulation of this resource pack
• The establishment of a display cabinet with sex aids and useful resources situated inside the Warrington Centre for Independent Living
• The development of a training programme on Relationships, Sex and Disability that has been delivered to District Nurses, GPs, Continence Advisors and Social Care staff
• A project with the University of Liverpool to re-design the Occupational Health curriculum to include Relationships, Sex and Disability matters

Please note that all of the current documents available around learning disability are too large and expensive to include in the file. However, copies are available from our Headquarters at the Centre for Independent Living. Telephone 01925 240064 for further information.

Thanks

We would officially like to thank Warrington Primary Care NHS Trust for having the faith and commitment to support this area of our work.