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Aurion plays a role in a pioneer eLearning program
04 August 2008
Today, FPA (the Family Planning Association) launched It’s My Right! – a groundbreaking campaign for Sexual Health Week, about the rights of people with learning disabilities to have sex and relationships.
People with learning disabilities have sexual needs and desires, but as FPA’s work shows, too often they are denied the information, education and opportunity to pursue relationships. To fill this gap, FPA, together with Aurion Learning, produced a pioneering interactive CD Rom, - the first of its kind - on sex, sexuality and relationships and stunning posters for the week. The CD-ROM was produced and part-funded in Northern Ireland.
The social inclusion agenda which has successfully integrated people with learning disabilities to lead independent lives in the community, is failing to keep up with their sexual health needs, says FPA.
Dr Audrey Simpson, Director of Northern Ireland FPA said, “Living independently means more than getting qualifications and securing a job. Expressing your sexuality and enjoying a relationship is something everyone values. But poor sex education and fears about exploitation can stand in the way of this happening for people with learning disabilities.
“Information and skills must be available to people with learning disabilities so they can enjoy intimate relationships without putting themselves at risk,” said Audrey. “And FPA would like to see more recognition of the importance of sex and relationships in their lives.”
The new interactive CD-ROM All about us provides information on sex, relationships and sexual orientation. It was produced by Aurion Learning, a leading eLearning company based in Belfast.
“Aurion Learning are delighted to have worked with FPA in the educational design and production of All About Us,”saidFiona Quigley, Director of Learning and Innovation, Aurion Learning. “It gives the vulnerable learner time and space to get to grips with a challenging subject in a safe and protected learning environment.”
All about us is suitable for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities including older children, teenagers and adults and covers understanding emotions, keeping safe, what it means to become an adult and appropriate behaviour in public and private spaces.
“We believe this is the first resource of its kind in the world and we know from our work that there’s a genuine need for it,” said Audrey. “We expect All about us to become an invaluable educational tool which will empower people with learning disabilities, their parents and professionals working with them to discover the facts about sex and relationships.”