IN a bid to provide disabled Jamaicans with sex education resource materials, the non-governmental group 3D Projects on Tuesday launched its ‘Skills For Life’ programme at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston.

The programme, the first of its kind in Jamaica, is designed to enhance the learning capacity of mentally and physically challenged young people, by providing them with relevant information to reduce their vulnerability to sexual exploitation, HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The ‘Skills for Life’ resource package includes six short video features about sex and relationships, using simple demonstrations and music, an activity work package, posters and a facilitator’s guide.

Managing Director of 3D Projects, Gerlin Bean, argued that such a programme was necessary because despite the advances in catering to disabled people in Jamaica, resources were still limited.

“Skills for Life aims to provide the tools to help the families of disabled persons deal with taboo issues such as sex. We also want to sensitise the communities about their vulnerabilities,” she said.

“The programme is essential because the information that was being directed at the disabled persons in the past, was not relevant to them because they couldn’t relate to it,” Bean added.

Bean also emphasised the importance of the families, saying they were central to helping disabled people cope with their vulnerabilities.

“The society breaks down when the family disintegrates, so we need to support the families with disabled persons to function effectively,” she argued.

She further pointed out that 3D, which stands for Dedicated to the Development of Persons with Disabilities, was active in Portland, St Mary, Manchester and St Thomas, with its head office in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Despite limited funding, she added, their special educators were committed to providing pre-vocational training to disabled people, and had developed material over the years to help children cope.

On Tuesday, UNICEF, and its representative, Bertrand Bainvel, endorsed the Skills For Life Programme, saying Jamaicans should work towards preventing discrimination against disabled people.

“Discrimination deprives them of access to quality education, essential health services and makes them vulnerable to violence, neglect and abuse. It further marginalises them within their own families and the community, and makes them miss critical chances for interaction with others for their learning development,” said Bainvel.

The 3D Projects, which was established in 1985, works in collaboration with other voluntary groups such as Children First and the School of Hope.