Although an inseparable part of any individual, sexuality is a taboo topic – more so when it comes to people with disabilitis. Their personal, social and sexual development has been conditioned not only by prejudice, but also by infrastructural barriers and the lack of communication skills and information. This is exactly why HERA provides accessible gynaecological and dermatological services, HIV testing and counselling, and sexual and reproductive health education for persons with disabilities through its “I Want To Know” Youth Centre – Vodno.
In 2010, together with 10-or-so civil society organisations and institutions we prepared the first Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health for Persons with Disabilities where we obliged ourselves to work together and with commitment on human rights, inclusion and promotion of access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Over the years we have conducted research, we took part in international campaigns and we delivered workshops and education to healthcare workers, social workers and parents/guardians, as well as to persons with disabilities. In 2014 we founded the Platform for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons with Disabilities, and for many years now we’ve been providing free counselling, examinations, gynaecologic and dermatovenerological tests, free from all barriers, through our “I Want To Know” Youth Centres.
In 2020, we prepared a brochure for persons with disabilities and service providers with basic information for detecting and supporting the cases of domestic violence during COVID-19, in an easy-read format and in Braille. These are the first such brochure in our country.
Read more about:
- Handbook for Training the Personal Assistants and other Service Providers to Persons with Disability
- Handbook on the Course of Action of Healthcare Professionals in Case of Gender-Based Violence, including Persons with Disabilities
- “My Life, My Choice” – video about the challenges and needs of persons with disabilities
- Report on the Research into the Situation with Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons with Disabilities
- Manual for Professionals and Parents/Guardians on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health of persons with intellectual disability
- I Have the Right – public awareness raising campaign for the rights of persons with disabilities
