By: Amy Rushfirth

Sharon Harper-Young is being honored for her work as an HIV Educator with Visions for Equality. As a parent of a young man with developmental disabilities, Sharon became involved in advocacy work, ultimately leading her to Visions for Equality, an advocacy agency for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Sharon has been an educator for PHAN (Preventing HIV/AIDS Network) for 4 years. PHAN is currently the only HIV/AIDS prevention and risk- reduction training program in Philadelphia that conducts training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Thank you Sharon for all the work you do to spread awareness and training of sexual health. Can you tell me a little about how you have been able to incorporate the female condom in your trainings?

The introduction of the FC2 was, at first, not received well by our participants. However, once it is explained that it can be inserted 8 hours before sex, that it forms to the body, and that it does not reduce sensitivity, we receive many requests for it. By always presenting the opportunity to practice insertion and removal with the female demonstrator and people are becoming more interested in using it. One female participant refused the safe sex kit at first since she was not in a relationship. After the training, she said, “I didn’t know there was a female condom. I will take the safe sex kit now, just in case.” Also, being available to explain the benefits of FC2 to teachers, healthcare paraprofessionals, and direct support professionals helps spread awareness.

You are incredibly successful at communicating the importance of safe sex practices in your trainings with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). What do you wish more people understood about sexual health and the population with which you work?

A huge misconception about people with IDD is that they are not sexual. They fail to realize that we are all human with the same desires. It is believed that people with IDD are not capable of “understanding” relationships, sex, and prevention of HIV and STDs. This is patently untrue as we can show from our training experiences. Families, teachers, providers of services and health care providers are reluctant to discuss and share information and resources about healthy sexual relationships.

Recognizing the importance of sex and sexuality in the lives of the people you work with seems to be key to the success you’ve had as trainer. How has PHAN been successful as an organization in building its programs? And what advice would have for people looking to increase education programs in their own communities?

PHAN has been very active in the disability community and Vision for Equality is a well-known and trusted organization. We have met with local legislators, school officials, and family groups to discuss and promote the importance of educating their community. I would first find out which small groups would be receptive to this information and branch out from there. Keep the information simple and direct and invite “everyone” to reduce their fear, misconceptions and the stigma.

How would you like to continue to grow as an organization?

We are always looking for funding opportunities to expand the program to other counties in Pennsylvania. For each person that attends a training, there is at least 10 more who could benefit from it. We have been able to reach youth through some special education programs and we have been invited by the Latino community in Philadelphia to conduct training in both Spanish and English. We also provide training to staff at the agencies that support people with IDD and we would like to expand this to the community as a whole.

To learn more information about the organization and how to get involved, visit their website at www.visionforequality.org.