LOVE AND KISSES/ THE DVD
Date 03 December 2007
THE LAUNCH OF LOVE AND KISSES/ THE DVD
"For too long, thinking about people with disability as being sexual beings has been a real taboo in our society. The community is largely silent about it, which ignores the fact that people with a disability do have intimate lives and want to experience their sexuality".
Family Planning NSW's Manager of Education and Training, Jane Chivers, was talking at today's launch of Love a Kisses, a DVD focusing on disability, sexuality and relationships. The launch was part of the celebration of the International Day of People with a Disability.
Members of the Wollongong Altogether Drama Group - all people with a disability - play out four drama scenes covering: 1) Behaviour that can ruin a first date; 2) Practicing safe sex; 3) The responsibilities of marriage; 4) Having sex in private, not public, places.
The role-playing is followed by discussions canvassing topics such as the impact of disability on relationships, sex and intimacy, sex education and safe sex, unwanted touching and the rights of people with a disability.
"Love and Kisses is designed to present a very positive image of people with disabilities talking about their own stories, about having intimate sexual relationships. Their stories, their voices are what we hear".
It's so important that people with cognitive impairment or learning difficulties or intellectual disabilities are able to talk about their needs - and they're often the people who have no voice at all in our community" Ms Chivers pointed out.
The groundbreaking presentation was launched at the Palace Cinema in Leichhardt by Professor Trevor Parmenter, Director of the Centre for Developmental Disability Studies at the University of Sydney.
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INFORMATION ABOUT LOVE AND KISSES/ THE DVD
Love and Kisses/The DVD is a positive look at the intimate lives of people with disabilities. Personal stories are told through drama and interviews and reveal the joys and heartbreak of love, sex and relationships.
People who have a disability, teachers, student, families and staff will enjoy this DVD, but Love and Kisses/The DVD is for everyone who believes in the right of people with a disability to have happy, safe and fulfilling relationships.
The DVD also includes interviews with people with a disability who tell their own stories about living independently, building relationships, unwanted touching, sex and intimacy.
The DVD can be used as an educational resource and discussion notes are included in the package.
Love and Kisses/The DVD is available for purchase for $49.95 from the Healthrites book shop on 8752 4307 or email Healthrites@fpnsw.org.au.
For further information
Contact Jane Chivers - Manager Education and Training
Phone 02 8752 4312
Email janec@fpnsw.org.au
WWW www.fpnsw.org.au
