Page 356 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

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

The study confirmed that sexual curiosity is common to all individuals,

including those with disabilities, and they have the right to experience
sexuality, have sexual relationships, and access information on the sexual

functioning of their bodies in an accessible form, according to Rule 9.2 of the

UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Persons with Disabilities.
Therefore, it is crucial to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive

health education to students with disabilities to ensure their sexual and
reproductive rights are protected.

Another factor from this study was the perception of sexuality and
reproductive health.

"I have a sister in my family. She is married and has two daughters. She always

says, 'I should have sister’s two daughters. These two will take care of you
when you get old.' They always have the same perception. Marriage and

sexuality are not for us." (P4, Female, 24, Fully Visually Impaired)

The fourth participant of the study above explains that marriage is not even
necessary for people with disabilities because sexual and reproductive health

is more of a concern. The disabled community is constantly under the
supervision of others and loses their body language. This interview confirms

that their lives are lived under the care of another, protected and isolated and
that they are no longer independent. Although they are given opportunities to

climb the social ladder through university education, the society in which they

are built is not ready to accept them as independent people.

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