Light in the Dark has been putting important impulses for the inclusion of people with disabilities for more than 50 years. Now the club goes one step further and makes a contribution to the formation of consciousness with a series of events. Interactive dialogue forums illuminate the additional challenges of people with disabilities in different areas of life and what solutions are shown. “The dialogue forums should make other messages audible than usual. We move with them away from the image People with disabilities are poor victims or need our pity. Because the picture of them in the broad population still deviates from their self -image, ”emphasizes Mario Thaler, Managing Director of Licht into the dark. The first dialogue forum, which took place in Vienna on January 29, 2025, highlighted the topic of a partnership, sexuality and family. The desire to society: It should make no difference whether a family / a few people with disabilities include. The idea of a supposed standard must be broken up.
Around 70 participants exchanged themselves for emotional proximity, intimacy and family constellations and brought their experiences and ideas. After reading a text of a literature bootasson (a light in the dark anniversary fund project), a blind couple described the challenges that arises from life with a sighted daughter. A couple in whom both have down syndrome told what is important to them in their relationship. Two lights in the dark projects that promote sexual self-determination were also presented: Pimp your Doll and the department. To end, a DJ of the Firefly Club (one of light in the dark conveyed project) put on the end. The dialogue forum was not only barrier-free: there was a sign language interpretation and live subtitle as well as a graphic summary in simple language.
Love relationship as a human right
“Our desire for partnership is nothing exotic, but a human right,” was the tenor. There are still many prejudices in society that have to be broken up. Another problem: There are too few barrier -free, including meeting rooms that enable you to get to know each other between people with and without disabilities. Because people with disabilities want to be a natural part of society and not just among themselves.
Self -determined sexuality is elementary
Experts and participants agreed: the taboo of sexuality affects people with disabilities. Ultimately, even so strong that the desire for intimacy is agreed. It takes nationwide education, also among relatives and adult representatives, as well as safe spaces in order to live out sexuality without evaluation. The lack of promotion of sexual accompaniment was also noted critically.
Family constellations outside the supposed standard
In the context of families, accessibility also plays an important role. Among other things, because it enables joint activities. In another point, family can mean something special: If personal assistance looks after a parent, it becomes an important part of the family, but has a clear extra -family role. There was also unanimousness that children are not allowed to grow into their parents’ nurses just because personal assistance is inadequate.
Light into the dark
Mario Thaler
Telephone: +43 1 533 86 88
E-mail: office@lichtinsdunkel.org
Website: https://lichtinsdunkel.org/
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | Nef