Sexuality and persons with disabilities

Seksualnost je temeljno ljudsko pravo, a ipak često osporavano za osobe s invaliditetom. Seksualnost osoba s pojedinim vrstama invaliditeta implicira specifične izazove karakteristične za tu populaciju, no kao zajednički problem glede seksualnosti svih osoba s invaliditetom izdvajaju se negativni društveni stavovi te negativne povratne društvene informacije, što osobe s invaliditetom često internaliziraju i shodno tome, zatomljuju svoju seksualnost. Kako bi se promijenio odnos prema seksualnosti osoba s invaliditetom, potrebno je raditi na edukaciji stručnjaka, ali i osoba s invaliditetom kako bi se prevenirali potencijalni rizici, te na senzibilizaciji društva glede te teme. Invaliditet ne umanjuje potrebu za bliskošću i pripadanjem te se trebaju osigurati uvjeti za ostvarenje seksualnih prava osoba s invaliditetom jer su oni, također, seksualna bića.Sexuality is fundamental human right, yet often contested for people with disabilities. The sexuality of people with certain types of disabilities implies specific challenges characteristic of that population, but negative social attitudes and negative social feedback stand out as common problem regarding the sexuality of all people with disabilities, which people with disabilities often internalize and, because of that, suppress their sexuality. In order to change the attitudes towards the sexuality of persons with disabilities, it is necessary to work on the education of experts, as well as persons with disabilities, in order to prevent potential risks, and to sensitize society regarding this topic. Disability does not reduce the need for closeness and belonging, and the conditions for realizing the sexual rights of persons with disabilities should be ensured because they, too, are sexual beings