Abstract:
Full and equal access to sex education for all citizens is ensured by
international legal acts. Research shows, however, that people with
intellectual disabilities (ID) receive neither support in understanding
their sexual rights, nor access to sex education tailored to their
needs. Sex education classes at a special school in Poland are not
compulsory for students with ID, therefore they can be omitted
from the curriculum. The research aims to learn the state of knowledge
about human sexuality and to analyse the needs, barriers, and
expectations of adult students with ID as regards their sex education.
The methodology used included a qualitative approach
(Participatory Action Research) using group interviews (FGI) with
24 ID students ages 18–24. The results of the study indicate that
students taking part in the study possess fragmentary and incomplete
knowledge about sexuality. They listed TV, the Internet, and
friends as sources of information, leaving out school (teachers) and
parents. However, their interest and willingness to talk was very
high. A didactic tool for sex education was designed together with
the student and is being used in schools.
