Researchers
Dr Maryann Barrington, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Professor Karen Fisher, Arts, Design & Architecture, UNSW
Dr Patsie Frawley, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Professor Julian Trollor, Medicine & Health, UNSW
Dr Clare Boerma, Family Planning NSW
Dr Bronwen Merner, University of Melbourne
Dr Janelle Weise, University of Sydney
Funding
This project was part of the Australian Human Rights Institute’s 2025 joint seed funding round with the Disability Innovation Institute UNSW, receiving $11,613.
Summary
Sexual and reproductive health care is a universal human right. However, the Disability Royal Commission in 2023 uncovered an ongoing systemic neglect of people with intellectual disability in the Australian health system.
People with intellectual disability have less access to information about contraceptives and are often not included in decisions made about their contraceptive healthcare. This includes decisions about whether to use contraceptives and which ones to use. Enduring discriminatory attitudes regarding the sexual and reproductive lives of people with intellectual disability risks impeding the realisation of their sexual and reproductive rights, including the right to choose (or deny) contraception. This project will explore stigma and attitudes toward contraceptive decision-making from the perspective of both healthcare professionals and people with intellectual disability. These explorations aim to improve patient care and access to contraceptive health care.
Funding from the Australian Human Rights Institute and the Disability Innovation Institute UNSW will enable researchers to fill the existing knowledge gap about contraceptive health care for people with intellectual disability in Australia. Insights gained from this project will inform a framework for further research and interventions that improve access to supported decision-making and informed consent for contraceptives among people with intellectual disability – so that the right to health care may be realised for all.