Dr Michelle McCarthy and her team at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent have produced a video as a result of their recent research exploring support for people with learning disabilities to find loving relationships. Their work explored with people what love meant to them and what a loving relationship meant to their lives.
Adults with IDD still often find themselves in a position where they are not given the support they need to find, and keep, a partner, despite this being a life goal for many (Bates, Terry and Popple 2016). Indeed, there is evidence that even non-sexual relationships ie close friendships, can be difficult for adults with IDD to find, as they lack the necessary support to develop and maintain them (Emerson and McVilly 2004). Gomez states that “establishing and maintaining sexual and intimate relationships during adult life is an expectation in most cultures and yet, people with intellectual disability are sexually disenfranchised” (2012:241). It is this disenfranchisement from typical adult relationships that this research project seeks to explore.
The video “Love is a wonderful feeling” hears from people with learning disabilities talking about the importance of loving relationships and the kinds of support they want and need.
Hard copies (on memory sticks) are available free of charge to any people with learning disabilities who don’t have easy access to the internet. Contact Michelle McCarthy if you would like one m.mccarthy@kent.ac.uk