Abstract

FRANCA, Dalva Nazaré Ornelas. Sexualidade da pessoa com cegueira: da percepção à expressão. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.04, pp.583-596. ISSN 1413-6538.

The aim of this study was to understand how people with congenital blindness perceive and express their sexuality. Eleven (11) blind people of both genders, aged between 22 and 54 years old participated in the study. Their educational level varied form Elementary to incomplete Higher Education. Semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were conducted, using a tape recorder. The interviews and focus group sessions were fully transcribed and qualitative analysis was conducted, using content analysis technique, in order to look for articulations between empirical data and theoretical references. Two categories emerged: sexuality: how the person with blindness perceives it; expression of sexuality by the person with blindness: obstacles and prospects. The interviews and group sessions revealed that the participants perceive sexuality as important, involving giving, intimacy, gender self-affirmation and that it can provide positive experiences in their lives. In order to express their sexuality, first off they use their voice, speech, followed by touching, smell and other means. However, they pointed out challenges as well, such as prejudice and lack of information about sexuality preparing people with blindness in this domain. Some participants expressed optimism about prospects for change, but others did not envision many changes, especially regarding prejudice. We consider that social issues are the main obstacles preventing people with blindness from expressing their feelings regarding sexuality; sex education can be a channel for reducing the impact of prejudice related to the expression of sexuality by this group of people.

Keywords : Sexuality; Blindness; Special Education.

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