• Educate individuals with disability on the topic of sexuality and relationships using resources adapted to the individual’s method of communication and learning needs;
• Manage sexualized behaviours of concern through different educational strategies and resources;
• Manage complex situations of a sensitive nature related to disclosure of abuse;
• Safeguard individuals with disability from abuse and risk of harm by providing appropriate knowledge and reporting mechanisms through effective sex and relationship education;
• Develop the capacity to assess and mitigate personal values, intrinsic bias, and beliefs related to sexual and relationship education particularly in the areas of sexual behaviour, reproductive rights, sexuality and gender.
• Foster inclusivity through the promotion of equal opportunities for sexual health care and health care needs.
• Develop individuals understanding of their rights, risks and responsibilities in relation to all expressions of sexuality;
• Address with care issues related to social media, pornography and the disclosure of material through digital channels.

• Critically evaluate the history of sexuality of persons with disability together with the associated social challenges and their origin;
• Develop a thorough and critical knowledge on the international treaties, UNCRPD and national legislations that cover not only the fundamental rights of people with disability but also sexuality, gender identity and gender expression;
• Outline the fundamental elements related to sex and relationship education including issues related to anatomy, health, consent, sociosexual skills and safety;
• Describe different communication techniques of students with disability;
• Outline different forms of assessment for sex education knowledge;
• Explain the process and assessment of informed consent including understanding the non-verbal elements related to consent.
• Identify the equal healthcare rights of individuals with disability, the health care needs beyond stereotypes, and the related health care services available.
• Develop familiarity of the reporting mechanisms related with recognising and reporting instances of abuse;
• Identify potential risks and strategies related to the safe use of digital and social media for individuals with disability;
• Identify personal values and biases towards sexuality, reproduction and persons with disability.

• Utilise evidence-based methodologies and best practices in SRE;
• Synthesise material related to SRE according to individual needs;
• Critically evaluate and integrate appropriate forms of assessment to evaluate sex education knowledge;
• Integrate appropriate resources that can be used in SRE based on appropriate assessment;
• Synthesise different verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that may be adopted for the individual needs;
• Critically evaluate the origin or triggers leading to sexual behaviours of concern;
• Advocate for disability rights and the sexual education of persons with disability;
• Promote equal opportunities for sexual health care and health care needs.
• Report situations related to abuse in the context of SRE and individuals with disability.
• Evaluate risks and develop lessons on the safe use of digital and social media catering towards individuals with disability;
• Assess and align own behaviour to be in line with the principles outlined in the various national and international policies and legislations.

This module will be assessed through: Case Study Assignment and Presentation.

Core Reading List

1. Azzopardi‐Lane, C. (2022). “It’s not easy to change the mentality”: Challenges to sex education delivery for persons with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities (1360-2322), 35(4),1001-1008.
2. Azzopardi Lane, C. (2019). Muted voices: The unexplored sexuality of young persons with learning disability in Malta. British Journal of Learning Disabilities (1354-4187), 47(3), 156.
3. Bahner, J. (2018). Cripping sex education: Lessons learned from a programme aimed at young people with mobility impairments. Sex Education, 18(6), 640-654.
4. Ballan, M. S., and Freyer, M. B. (2017). Autism spectrum disorder, adolescence, and sexuality education: Suggested interventions for mental health professionals. Sexuality and Disability, 35(2), 261–273.
5. Chrastina, J., & Večeřová, H. (2020). Supporting sexuality in adults with intellectual disability—a short review. Sexuality and Disability, 38(2), 285-298.
6. Dewinter, J., Vermeiren, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I., Lobbestael, J., and Van Nieuwenhuizen, C. (2015). Sexuality in adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder: self-reported behaviours and attitudes. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 45(3), 731–741.
7. English, B., Tickle, A., and dasNair, R. (2018). Views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities regarding intimate relationships: A qualitative metasynthesis. Sexuality and Disability, 36, 149-173.
8. Ey, L. A., & McInnes, E. (2018). Educators’ observations of children’s display of problematic sexual behaviors in educational settings. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(1), 88-105.
9. Ey, L. A., McInnes, E., & Rigney, L. I. (2017). Educators’ understanding of young children’s typical and problematic sexual behaviour and their training in this area. Sex education, 17(6), 682-696.
10. Frawley, P., & Wilson, N. J. (2016). Young people with intellectual disability talking about sexuality education and information. Sexuality and disability, 34, 469-484.
11. Glencross, S., Mason, J., Katsikitis, M., & Greenwood, K. M. (2021). Internet use by people with intellectual disability: Exploring digital inequality—A systematic review. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(8), 503-520.
12. Hall, M. (2018). Disability, discourse and desire: Analyzing online talk by people with disabilities. Sexualities, 21(3), 379-392.
13. Holmes, L. G., Strassberg, D. S., & Himle, M. B. (2019). Family Sexuality Communication for Adolescent Girls on the Autism Spectrum. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 49(6), 2403–2416.
14. Liberman, A. (2018). Disability, sex rights and the scope of sexual exclusion. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(4), 253-256.
15. Matin, B. K., Ballan, M., Darabi, F., Karyani, A. K., Soofi, M., & Soltani, S. (2021). Sexual health concerns in women with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review in qualitative studies. BMC public health, 21(1), 1965. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12027-6
16. McCarthy, M., & Thompson, D. (2016). Sex and the 3 Rs: A sex education resource for working with people with learning disabilities (4^th). Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.
17. Schmidt, E. K, Dougherty, M. E., Robek, N., & Murray, A. E. (2023). Improving Accessibility of Sexuality Education for Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In Taverner, W. J. (Ed.), Sex Education Research: A Look Between the Sheet (pp. 84-94). Routledge.
18. Strnadová, I., Johnson, K., & Walmsley, J. (2018). “… but if you’re afraid of things, how are you meant to belong?” What belonging means to people with intellectual disabilities?. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(6), 1091-1102.

Supplementary Reading List

1. Azzopardi-Lane, C. (2017). Intimate relationships and persons with learning disability. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 22(1), 24-27.
2. Azzopardi-Lane, C. and Callus, A.M., (2014), Constructing sexual identities: people with intellectual disability talking about sexuality, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(1), 32-37
3. Bates, C. (2018) Sexuality and Learning Disabilities: Practical approaches to providing positive support. 2nd Edition Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.
4. Eisenberg, N. W., Andreski, S. R., and Mona, L. R. (2015). Sexuality and physical disability: A disability-affirmative approach to assessment and intervention within health care. Current Sexual Health Reports, 7, 19-29.
5. Raj Ebenezer, S., and Chavhan, P. (2023). Different Opinions of Sexuality and Sexual Education in Individuals with Intellectual Disability: A Literature Review. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(2).
6. Schaafsma, D., Kok, G., Stoffelen, J. M., and Curfs, L. M. (2015). Identifying effective methods for teaching sex education to individuals with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review. Journal of sex research, 52(4), 412-432.
7. UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and WHO (2018). International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: an Evidence Informed Approach. Available at: ITGSE.pdf
8. United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Treaty Series, 2515,3. Available at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-2.html
9. World Health Organization. (2010). Developing sexual health programmes: A framework for action (No.WHO/RHR/HRP/10.22). World Health Organization.