Learning Disability Today
Blue Sky Offices Shoreham
25 Cecil Pashley Way
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
BN43 5FF
United Kingdom
T: 01273 434943
Contacts
Alison Bloomer
Managing Editor
[email protected]
[email protected]
A Brighton University student has created a tactile, easy-to-use sex education toolkit for people with learning disabilities to help them understand relationships, consent, and bodily autonomy.
Sarah McBrearty, a former social worker with over two decades of experience, wanted to develop an inclusive toolkit to break down complex topics into accessible and dignity-centred education while supporting vital conversations about trust, consent, boundaries, intimacy, bodily autonomy, and safety.
The interactive resources use a simple traffic light system to help people with learning disabilities better understand themselves and their relationships with others. Using a gender-neutral body mat, participants place coloured lights to show consent, demonstrating how feelings and boundaries can change quickly.
Further reading:
- Relationships and sex: what does good support look like?
- Decisions about sexual consent for people with cognitive disabilities must be person-centred
- What does the recent ‘capacity to consent to sex’ ruling mean?
3D anatomical models and tactile tools offer hands-on reference points for users who learn best through touch. The toolkit also features texture stamps that simulate the sensations of sexually transmitted infections and illustrated cue cards that cover topics like healthy and unsafe relationships, controlling behaviours, contraception, abuse, and warning signs such as financial exploitation.
Sex education for people with learning disabilities needs to be tailored and accessible
Sarah’s passion for design began after she moved to Brighton in 2013, and after living with undiagnosed ADHD and speech challenges as a child, she wanted to develop something that would challenge negative societal attitudes toward people with learning disabilities by affirming their right to healthy relationships and sexual expression.
She said that standard materials like videos and illustrations often don’t meet the needs of those with moderate to severe learning disabilities, leaving critical gaps in their understanding of consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy relationships.
“Everyone deserves to understand their bodies, relationships, and rights in a way that feels safe and accessible. This toolkit aims to empower people with learning disabilities to confidently express consent, set boundaries, and share their feelings – breaking down barriers that all too often exclude them from vital conversations, ” she added.
“By making sex education tactile and inclusive, I hope to create space for respect and autonomy, helping everyone build healthier relationships.”
Sarah hopes the toolkit can be adopted in schools, colleges, day centres, and learning disability teams. It can be viewed at the University of Brighton Summer Shows and afterwards at New Designers 2025, held in London between 2-5 July.
