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Background: The diverse nature of parenting among people with intellectual disabilities can be affected by many factors, including stereotypes, experiencing social isolation, living in poverty, suffering from chronic diseases and limited access to health care. Because of these factors, people with intellectual disabilities are not readily viewed as potential parents by society. Method: The research was conducted using the photovoice method, which analyses photographs taken by participants--seven mothers with intellectual disabilities (aged 22-43). Results: Thematic analysis yielded six main areas: pregnancy and childbirth, household duties--everyday life, caring for children, the importance of motherhood for a woman, parenting problems and difficulties, and types and forms of assistance. Conclusion: Raising a child has become a life goal for the interviewed women. However, there were also difficulties in their lives, which have not been solved by formal and informal support. Individual support for mothers should include tailor-made sexual education, access to gynaecological care or long-term family support.

Full and equal access to sex education for all citizens is ensured by international legal acts. Research shows, however, that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) receive neither support in understanding their sexual rights, nor access to sex education tailored to their needs. Sex education classes at a special school in Poland are not compulsory for students with ID, therefore they can be omitted from the curriculum. The research aims to learn the state of knowledge about human sexuality and to analyse the needs, barriers, and expectations of adult students with ID as regards their sex education. The methodology used included a qualitative approach (Participatory Action Research) using group interviews (FGI) with 24 ID students ages 18-24. The results of the study indicate that students taking part in the study possess fragmentary and incomplete knowledge about sexuality. They listed TV, the Internet, and friends as sources of information, leaving out school (teachers) and parents. However, their interest and willingness to talk was very high. A didactic tool for sex education was designed together with the student and is being used in schools.