The People with intellectual disability: Sexual Lives & Respectful Relationships ‘First Fridays’ Deakin GSS HDR Masterclass was held on 7 September 2018.
A masterclass by Patsie Frawley and Amie O’Shea
Sexuality is an essential part of being human. Yet the right for people with intellectual disability to express their sexuality is often overlooked. This presentation will explore the concept of sexual ableism and the current status of the rights of people with intellectual disability to live sexual lives. It will introduce the Sexual Lives & Respectful Relationships (SL&RR) program which uses a peer education model to discuss issues of relationships, sexuality and violence prevention by and for people with intellectual disability. The presenters will then discuss the collaborative and inclusive approach taken throughout the SL&RR program, and what has been learned about using our cognitive privilege and lived experience to work together. This presentation will be delivered collaboratively by Patsie and Amie with Peer Educators from the SL&RR program.
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Suggested Readings
Gill, Michael. ed. (2015). “Introduction: Sexual Ableism Exposed.” In Already Doing It, 1–22. Intellectual Disability and Sexual Agency. University of Minnesota Press.
Frawley, P., & Wilson, N. J. (2016). Young people with intellectual disability talking about sexuality education and information. Sexuality and disability, 34(4), 469-484.
Deakin University students should access readings via HDR on the Cloud. All other students should contact Ben Hegarty ([email protected]) for access.
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About the Speakers
Associate Professor Patsie Frawley is the Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Deakin University’s postgraduate program in Disability and Inclusion. Patsie’s research is in intellectual disability and sexuality, sexual abuse prevention and responses, self advocacy and political participation. Along with the Sexual Lives and Respectful Relationships program her most recent research looked at inclusion and access for women and girls with disabilities in violence and abuse response services across Australia.
Dr Amie O’Shea is Research Fellow in Disability & Inclusion, School of Health & Social Development, and the national co-ordinator for Sexual Lives & Respectful Relationships. Amie’s research areas take a poststructuralist approach to sexuality and gender for people with intellectual disability, and collaborative research methodologies.
Patsie and Amie will be joined by Peer Educators from the Sexual Lives & Respectful Relationships program.
