Welcome to the Special Schools News & Events index Back to News & Events Today, fpa launches It’s My Right! – a groundbreaking campaign for Sexual Health Week, about the rights of people with learning disabilities to have sex and relationships. People with learning disabilities have sexual needs and desires but as fpa’s work shows, too often they are denied the information, education and opportunity to pursue relationships. To fill this gap, fpa has produced a pioneering interactive CD-ROM - the first of its kind - on sex, sexuality and relationships as well as a set of stunning posters for the week. One of the models for the posters, Joseph, comments, “I want to meet a girl I can become friends with, take to the pub and the cinema and then after a couple of months see where it goes. But it’s difficult out there.” Joseph Greene, 23, Islington, London. The social inclusion agenda which has successfully integrated people with learning disabilities to lead independent lives in the community, is failing to keep up with their sexual health needs, says fpa. Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa said, ‘Living independently means more than getting qualifications and securing a job. Expressing your sexuality and enjoying a relationship is something everyone values. But poor sex education and fears about exploitation can stand in the way of this happening for people with learning disabilities. “Information and skills must be available to people with learning disabilities so they can enjoy intimate relationships without putting themselves at risk,” said Julie. “And fpa would like to see more recognition of the importance of sex and relationships in their lives.” The new interactive CD-ROM All about us provides information on sex, relationships and sexual orientation. It’s suitable for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities including older children, teenagers and adults and covers understanding emotions, keeping safe, what it means to become an adult and appropriate behaviour in public and private spaces. People with learning disabilities will learn the correct names for the genitals, reproductive organs and where they are on the body from All about us. Periods, wet dreams and masturbation are explained too. “We believe this is the first resource of its kind in the world and we know from our work there’s a genuine need for it,” said Julie. “We expect All about us to become an invaluable educational tool which will empower people with learning disabilities, their parents and professionals working with them to discover the facts about sex and relationships.” This is the first time fpa’s Sexual Health Week has focused on the needs of people with learning disabilities. The posters, taken by an award winning photographer, feature men, women and couples with learning disabilities. Posters have been sent to thousands of health, social care and educational settings across the UK. A poll of professionals and people with learning disabilities conducted especially for It’s My Right! is available on www.fpa.org.uk. All about us costs £19.99 and is available from fpa’s online shop at www.fpa.org.uk