Dr Poul Rohleder is awarded funding for a research project exploring the myth of asexuality for people with physical disabilities in South Africa

Dr Poul Rohleder, who recently joined the School of Psychology, has been awarded a €100,000 research grant from the International Foundation of Applied Disability Research, for a 2-year project entitled: The myth of asexuality? Disability stigma as a barrier to sexual relationships in South Africa. The project is a collaboration between Poul Rohleder and Prof Leslie Swartz from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa; Mr Mussa Chiwaula, Director General the Southern African Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD); and Ms Stine Hellum Braathen; SINTEF Technology and Society, Norway.

The project will investigate the prevailing myths and attitudes towards the sexuality of people with physical disabilities. There is an increased recognition that sexual health is a human right, yet, research evidence suggests that people with disabilities may be generally excluded from living fully sexual and sexually healthy lives. One social barrier previously identified is the myth of asexuality; that is that persons with disabilities (such as physical disabilities) are assumed to be asexual, and thus not perceived as sexual persons. The project aims to:

1. investigate the attitudes of the general population towards the sexuality of people with disabilities in South Africa;

2. explore the experiences of stigma and barriers to fulfilling sexual relationships among people with disabilities in South Africa;

The project will use mixed methods for research, including an online survey questionnaire of public attitudes, and participatory qualitative methods with persons with disabilities, including the use of Photovoice for collecting narratives from a sample of people with physical disabilities. Data from the project will be used to develop materials (a free ebook and short documentary video clips) for use by disability organisations and other relevant organisations for raising public awareness about disability, stigma and sexuality.