Workshop on sexuality concerns of people with disabilites, Kolkata

[Guest guest]

Call for Participation

Title: Workshop on Sexuality Concerns of People with Disabilities

Date and time: 29th July 2010, 2 p.m.

Venue: Conference Hall, Manovikas Kendra, (near Ruby General Hospital)

A half a day workshop is being organized by Sruti Disability Rights Centre,

Kolkata in collaboration with TARSHI (Talking About Reproductive and Sexual

Health Issues), New Delhi on Sexuality Concerns of People with Disabilities.

What is the Workshop About?

Sexuality is a taboo subject in India especially where the rights of people with

disabilities are concerned. There is very little research or dialogue on the

issue both in the disability and sexuality sectors. To most people, sexuality

and disability seems to be unconnected terrains.

However, the reality is that people with disabilities can also be sexual beings

with sexual fantasies, feelings and aspirations like anyone else. They are

unable to express their sexuality fully not so much because of a disability but

because of the restriction of their mobility, negative societal attitudes and

the lack of educational, entertainment, social and health services and rights

that are available to other people.

Through this half-day workshop, we want to share with you our work and

experience in this field and would also want to learn from your experiences. We

will also be disseminating a copy of TARSHI's Working Paper on Sexuality and

Disability in the Indian Context.

The soft copy of the paper is available on the TARSHI website at

http://www.tarshi.net/downloads/Sexuality_and_Disability_in_the_Indian_Context.p\

df

This working paper presents an overview of the current scenario in India vis a

vis sexuality and disability. It is a collation of information and resources

based on interviews with people with disabilities and their parents, teachers

and other care providers. It also draws upon secondary research to examine

existing laws and policies relevant to sexuality and disability in India.

Topics to be discussed at the Workshop:

a.. Introduction to Sexuality and Disability

b.. Are people with disabilities also sexual beings?

c.. Are sexuality concerns of people with disabilities different from their

non-disabled counterparts?

d.. How can we address sexuality concerns of people with disabilities?

Where and when will it be held?

The workshop on Sexuality Concerns of People with Disabilities will be held at

on 29th July, 2010 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

What does it cost?

Participants will have to pay a small sum of Rupees One Hundred (Rs. 100/-)

towards registration for the workshop.

Where can I send in my confirmation for participation or enquire for queries?

All those interested in participating in the workshop can send in their

confirmation via email at sruti.darc@... or sameera@... or call at

+919433174978 (Shampa Sengupta) +919830913700 (Sameera Ahmed).

You can also register your self on the day of the workshop at the venue itself.

Registration will start 30 minutes before the session begins. However, we will

appreciate if you let us know how many from your organization is participating

within 26th June.

We expect you all to be in time so that we can start and end the session on time

and cover all points of discussion.

About Sruti Disability Rights Centre - Sruti Disability Rights Centre has been

working for more than 5 years in the field of Disability Rights in Kolkata.

Sruti runs a helpline and provides information on disability in accessible

format. A major focus area of Sruti is the cross cutting issue of gender and

disability. Sruti Disability Rights Center under the guidance of Shampa has been

actively involved in the Disability Rights work through advocacy and research on

various issues and concerns of people with disabilities at national level.

About TARSHI

Informed by a rights perspective, TARSHI (Talking About Reproductive and Sexual

Health Issues) addresses issues of sexuality keeping young people and women at

the centre of its programmes. TARSHI's work includes providing much-needed

sexuality information, counselling and referrals to people of all ages on the

TARSHI helpline since 1996; strengthening the capacity of practitioners in the

field through trainings on the inter-linkages between rights and sexuality and

reproductive health; sensitizing practitioners as well as the general public to

sexual and reproductive rights through publications and public education. More

information about our work can be found at www.tarshi.net.

Shampa Sengupta

e-mail: <shampag@...>