Page 355 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding
P. 355
University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka
about safe sex and contraceptives. They mentioned examples in their
university student life in this regard.
“Visually impaired university students gather in the room reserved for students
with disabilities during non-lecture hours and nothing beyond that. This is
where all relationships are built, and breakups happen. They do not know
about sexuality and reproductive health. Girls are more affected (Key
Informants2, Female, Partial Visually Impaired).”
“Most of the time, visually impaired students gather in the room reserved for
them and make connections between them. However, locomotor-impaired
students become self-isolated. They do not participate in the programmes
organised by the university (Key Informants1, Female, Fully Visually
Impaired).”
The study highlighted the perception that persons with disabilities do not need
marriage and sexual relationships, reinforcing the stereotype that persons with
disabilities should be under constant supervision and care, leading to a lack of
independence.
The female students with disabilities who participated in this study perceived
a negative attitude toward love, marriage, and sexuality. It was confirmed
through the experiences of locomotor-impaired students.
I have already considered living away from home and somewhere that
accommodates people like us. (P8, Female 24. Locomotor impairment)
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