Culture And Memory

From Past to Present: Changes in Sexuality and Relationship Support for People with Learning Disabilities

2025 marks 30 years since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) began protecting disabled people from discrimination, yet people with learning disabilities still face significant prejudice, particularly around sexuality and relationships. Their experiences remain untold, shaped by judgmental attitudes and restrictive policies. Our project will collect oral histories from 10 learning disabled people and 10 people who worked closely with them in Kent, focusing on experiences in institutions and in their own homes. We’ll explore how attitudes and support have changed, the impact on lives, and lessons to improve future care. The project will include a co-created theatre piece to be performed (reaching live audiences of 200+) and also filmed, exhibitions (reaching up to 2,000 visitors), and a training pack for social care staff (impacting 500+ in year one). By preserving these stories in a local archive, we’ll amplify voices often overlooked, creating a legacy for future generations.