Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...

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1.7 Heterogeneity
People with intellectual disabilities are not a separate, homogeneous
group of human beings who think, feel and act in a similar fashion. Their
individual likes, dislikes, choices, talents, strengths and weaknesses are
varied, as elsewhere in society (Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General,
2005). Intellectual and adaptive functioning of people with intellectual
disability varies widely, hence, so does their capacity to function
independently (Schalock and Luckasson, 2004). The variation between
different individuals within the same group cannot be overstated (Murphy
and Clare, 2003). For example, the overwhelming majority of people with
intellectual disabilities have difficulties that are subtle and are not easily
recognised (Emerson, Hatton, Felce and Murphy, 2000). Only a very small
proportion is unlikely to be able to use verbal language or to carry out
simple tasks of everyday living (such as eating, washing and dressing)
without support (Hogg and Seba, 1986). This heterogeneity must be
considered when deciding the relevance of general statements about
people with intellectual disabilities.
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are
Accessible
and Appropriate of Provision on <strong>Review</strong> <strong>Literature</strong>
Experiencing Crisis Pregnancy
1.8 Level of disability
Research that has been carried out on sexuality and women with
intellectual disabilities has for the most part neglected to include
consideration of the sexual needs and feelings of women with more
severe disabilities (Downs & Craft, 1997). Historically, it was considered
that the severity of such women’s disabilities would override all and
any aspects of their sexuality. According to McCarthy (2002), for most
people with intellectual disabilities, it is the case that a profound
intellectual impairment and the associated life-long dependency on
others means that they are unlikely to be in a position to engage in
consenting sexual relationships with other people. Understanding
sexuality in its wider form, though, including ‘feelings of love and
sexual arousal, understanding what touch does and does not give
pleasure, masturbation, sexual health, self-awareness and selfimage,
identity, communication, personal development, gender issues
and age appropriateness’ are relevant for people with profound and
multiple disabilities as they are for other people (McCarthy, 2002:
92). The research that has been carried out for the most part relates
to the heterosexual experiences of mainly white women with mild