Erasmus+ Adult Education Project - KA204 Strategic Partnership

Project Overview

The project "My Disability is NOT an Obstacle for My Sexuality" was an initiative under the KA204 Strategic Partnership program of the Erasmus+ Adult Education program. The goal of the project was to enhance awareness of sexual education and the rights of people with disabilities while ensuring that they have access to the necessary knowledge and support to embrace their sexuality autonomously.

Under the leadership of the Manisa Directorate of Guidance and Research Center (Turkey), the project brought together leading organizations from Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Turkey. Through collaboration, they developed inclusive educational resources, training modules, and support programs designed to promote the sexual self-determination of people with disabilities and to ensure that sexuality is no longer a taboo subject within this demographic.

Project Details

• Project Coordinator: Manisa Directorate of Guidance and Research Center, Turkey

• Project Number: 2019-1-TR01-KA204-077450

• Partner Organizations:

  • ARDA Beratung & Bildung GmbH (Germany)

  • Governorship of Manisa (Turkey)

  • Manisa Special Education School Business Applications (Turkey)

  • Teacher Sukran Bilginer Private Education Application Center II. Step (Turkey)

  • Partner organizations from Italy, Lithuania, and Poland

Project Background

In many universities, there are no dedicated courses on sexual education for people with disabilities within special education departments. Currently, only Anadolu University offers an elective course on this topic, with a limited two-credit curriculum, leaving many special education teachers inadequately trained in this crucial area.

A total of 3,204 students with disabilities across all districts of Manisa face barriers to their sexual development. The transition into puberty is particularly critical, as developmental changes become more visible in social interactions and home environments. Educators and families commonly report:

• A lack of understanding of personal boundaries and private body areas

• Inappropriate physical interactions, including touching oneself or others in public settings

• Unfiltered verbal expressions regarding sexuality, leading to social challenges

• Increased risk of sexual abuse and exploitation due to insufficient education on consent and personal safety

The absence of comprehensive sexual education limits the autonomy and personal security of individuals with disabilities. There is, therefore, an urgent need for specialized training for educators, parents, and caregivers to ensure that individuals with disabilities can receive appropriate and effective guidance.

Project Objectives

1. Promoting awareness of sexual health and reproductive rights among people with disabilities

2. Developing structured teaching materials and tailored training programs for educators and health professionals

3. Fostering inclusive and non-discriminatory educational models to facilitate broader societal acceptance

4. Delivering targeted training workshops for teachers, caregivers, and parents to bridge the knowledge gap

5. Empowering people with disabilities to make informed decisions about their sexuality through accessible and inclusive educational materials

Expected Outcomes

• Creation of a structured training curriculum for teachers and caregivers to support sexual education for individuals with disabilities

• Development of a digital resource platform offering educational content for teachers, students, and parents

• Promotion of open and stigma-free discussions to destigmatize the topic of sexuality and disability

• Formation of an international knowledge-sharing network to exchange and implement best practices globally

Project Activities & Timeline

• Kick-off Meeting: Turkey

• Workshops and Professional Training Sessions: Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland

• International Mobility Opportunities for Educators and Specialists:

  • Internships in institutions specializing in inclusive education

  • Knowledge exchange on best practices in sexual education for individuals with disabilities

• Final Conference & Evaluation: Turkey

Sustainability & Long-Term Impact

This project has made a substantial contribution to raising awareness and advocating for the sexual rights of individuals with disabilities. The training materials, knowledge networks, and educational methodologies developed during the project will continue to be integrated into schools, care institutions, and professional development programs.

By sustaining these resources and ensuring their continuous dissemination, the project aspires to bring long-term improvements in sexual education and self-advocacy for people with disabilities. The insights and methodologies developed can also serve as a template for implementation in other countries and educational frameworks.

Further Information

For more details, visit our official project pages or follow updates on the dedicated platforms:

• WSBINOZ - No Obstacle

• Erasmusly - My Disability is NOT an Obstacle for My Sexuality