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reproductive justice

To address this gap, we have now How these factors influence people’s
received funding from an organisation It may be assumed that sex lives and affect their ability to give
called the Foundation for the Sociology of and reproduction are not a informed consent are important
Health and Illness to explore in more detail to understand.
what is meant by capacity to consent in priority or are not appropriate We think it would be helpful to develop
relation to using long-acting contraception. topics to discuss with people training and resources with people with
learning disabilities to support them to
Consent, capacity and assumptions with learning disabilities make decisions about contraception
We think it is important to understand and reproduction.
how capacity and informed consent may We are aware we do not have all the
be influenced by assumptions about the They delivered two excellent, thought- information we need to do this work in
needs of people with learning disabilities provoking workshops based on their the best way. If you are an organisation or
as well as by the environment in which own questions and concerns they have individual and would like to help us pull
these decisions are made, such as during about sex and reproduction. The back the carpet under which the
a short doctor’s appointment or after contribution of Inclusion North has been conversations about sex, reproduction
having a baby. very important so far in helping us and contraception for people with
As part of this, we intend to work consider priorities for people with learning disabilities are often swept, you
closely with people with learning learning disabilities. can contact me at the email below.
disabilities to understand what matters We have learnt that questions about We hope to form partnerships with
most in relation to this topic and how we reproductive rights, contraception and if organisations that support people with
should do future research that is inclusive or when you get pregnant are hindered learning disabilities.
and aware of the needs of people with because of silence around sex. We hope that this project will go some
learning disabilities. Many professionals such as doctors, way to shining a light on capacity and
So far, we have been working to gather nurses or support workers find discussing informed consent, especially about
background information on this subject in this awkward and sexual and reproductive contraception, in a way that is inclusive
the UK and identify what resources are health are often missed out of annual and understanding of people with
available to people to support their rights health checks. learning disabilities.
to make decisions about contraception They may also assume that sex and We want to work towards a reality
– which are few and far between. reproduction are not a priority or where reproductive rights can be upheld
To start this conversation with other appropriate topics to discuss with people for everyone and that the diversity of
people, in April this year we put on with learning disabilities, so this topic is people’s needs and ways of supporting
an event called Reprofest (https:// swept under the carpet and overlooked. them are understood. n
reprofest.wixsite.com/reprofest) in We know that having a learning l The authors would like to thank the
Preston, Lancashire. disability is only one aspect of a person. hard work of the experts at Inclusion
Other parts of who we are may also be North for their enthusiasm and
judged and make it harder to explore commitment to this topic
There can be a fine line options related to sex and reproduction Rachael Eastham is senior research
– for example, if you have a learning
between having additional disability and also are an LGBTQ+ person. associate in the Division of Health
support and being pressured Uncertainty about what may happen if Research at Lancaster University:

to take certain options you want to get pregnant and have a baby r.eastham1@lancaster.ac.uk. The rest of
the research team are: Alex Kaley, Mark
can create fear. For people with learning
disabilities, worries about being judged as Limmer and Sophie Patterson at Lancaster
not being able to look after children may University; Gareth Thomas at
This event brought together lots of increase this fear. Cardiff University; and
people to talk about reproductive rights Being frightened can Victoria Boydell at
from a range of perspectives. At the heart make conversations the University
of it all was our invitation to consider who about your needs even of Essex
makes decisions about who should have harder to have and
children and if or when someone should may mean you end
get pregnant. up agreeing to
Pictured is the Reprofest zine cover things other
made by people at the event with local arts people think are
organisation the Good Things Collective. best for you.
We were joined at Reprofest by Inclusion
North – a community interest company
that “aims to make inclusion a reality for Women with
all people with a learning disability, learning
disabilities
autistic people and their families”. are often
Inclusion North’s experts by experience encouraged to
worked together to prepare workshops use long-term
about reproductive rights for people with contraceptives, such as
learning disabilities and/or autism to intrauterine devices,
deliver at Reprofest. regardless of preference

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 4 | Summer 2022 19