Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...

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and moderate intellectual disabilities in early and middle adulthood
(McCarthy, 2002: 93).
1.9 Attitudes <strong>Literature</strong> towards <strong>Review</strong> women on with Provision intellectual of Appropriate disabilities and Accessible and sexuality
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are
Until the 1960s Experiencing there were Crisis negative Pregnancy and repressive attitudes towards
the sexual expression of people with intellectual disabilities, whether
they lived at home or in the community (Kempton and Kahn, 1991).
It has been argued that in the past many disabled women have been
violated by the eugenics movement and have been deprived of their
rights to bodily dignity and integrity through physical, communication and
clinical barriers to obstetrical and gynaecological services; involuntary
sterilisation; forced abortion; sex segregation by placing women in
institutions; over-use of long-acting contraceptives; and the loss of child
custody (Waxman-Fiduccia, 1996). Both in Europe and in the US women
with intellectual disabilities were feared and seen as a threat to society;
their reproductive rights were taken away from them, as it was believed
that they were ‘unfit’ to be mothers and that they would also give birth to
children with disabilities.
According to Atkinson and Walmsley (1995) the institutional era was
characterised by the loss of, or rejection by, families at the time of
admission, and by the strict separation of the sexes within institutions. A
policy of protection of people with learning disabilities was in existence.
In relation to women, this meant that the practice was to prevent
sexual relationships, which might result in the birth of unwanted and
possible defective children. Closure of large institutions and the move to
community living in many countries, which has occurred over the past
twenty years, has allowed people with intellectual disability to enjoy
greater freedom in their lifestyle choices, including establishing an
intimate relationship and having children.
However, Atkinson and Walmsley (1995) argue that it is possible that
a different sort of segregated living is emerging. The authors report
that accounts from women suggest that the nature and quality of
relationships can be restricted through prolonged enclosure, not only
with the family but also in schools, hostels and group homes.