The 2nd Tuppy Owen's Memorial Lecture with Dr Carmen Yau

This lecture can be attended in person or online.

Speaker:

Dr Carmen Yau

Title:

Love, Rights and Risk: Reimagining Professional Practice Through a Crip Affirmative Approach to Sexuality, Relationships and Independent Living

Abstract:

What does it mean to support disabled people to live meaningful adult lives when love, intimacy, sexuality and relationships are involved? Professionals working with disabled people often navigate a difficult tension between care and protection on the one hand, and autonomy, choice and freedom on the other. Concerns about vulnerability and risk can unintentionally lead to practices that restrict disabled people’s opportunities for intimacy, sexual expression, relationships and independent living.

This lecture introduces a Crip Affirmative Approach to professional practice that centres disabled people’s rights to love, desire, intimacy, pleasure and self-determination. It challenges professionals to move beyond risk-averse and deficit-based approaches and consider how care and safeguarding can coexist with empowerment and positive risk-taking.

Drawing on disability rights and independent living principles, the lecture will offer a practical framework for working with disabled people and their loved ones to navigate love, rights and risk. Particular attention will be given to disabled people with gender, sexual and relationship diversity (GSRD), encouraging professionals to create practice that affirms difference rather than simply managing vulnerability.

Info: Chair of SHADA and The Outsiders Trust, Judicial Office holder, Professor of Law, Head of Law and Social Sciences, Head of Legal, Chair of the Jersey Law Commission, Senior Academic Leader, Strategic Policy Advisor.

Event venue & nearby stays

SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, London, United Kingdom

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