Page 348 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

rights of persons with disabilities for their holistic development (The United

Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, 2006). In Sri Lankan
culture, disability is understood through a charitable lens, characterised by

distinct vocabulary delineating between "normal" and "disabled" individuals.

Terms like "arbadita" and "arbaditaya" are used to describe disability, while
more specific terms like "andha," "golu," and "bihiri" are employed to refer to

specific impairments. These linguistic distinctions create a hierarchical divide,
with able-bodied individuals considered "normal" and those with disabilities

labeled as "abnormal" or "ill-being," often carrying a stigma that leads to

discrimination (Liyanage, 2017, p. 251; ICF, 2001).

Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by exploring the experiences of

students with disabilities at public universities in Sri Lanka. By identifying the
existing socio-cultural barriers that hinder their access to sexual and

reproductive health education, this study aims to propose interventions that

cater to their individual needs. The study also highlights the importance of
addressing the social constructs surrounding disability and gender to ensure

that all individuals can access this critical aspect of health education. The
findings of this study can inform policy and practice to improve the

accessibility of sexual and reproductive health education for university
students with disabilities in Sri Lanka.

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