Sex – This is how it works
Accessible material about sex, the body, and relationships.
Sex – This is how it works (“Så funkar sex”) was a project funded by Arvsfonden (the Swedish Inheritance Fund) that ran from 2013 to 2016 aiming to provide clear and accessible information about sex, the body, and relationships.
The project was aimed at people who have intellectual disabilities and/or cognitive difficulties. Together with the target group, Forum Skill developed educational materials that support engaging and enjoyable conversations.
The material consists of four parts: an easy-to-read fact book, the feature film Om sex (About Sex), the card set Kort om sex (Cards About Sex) and a tutorial guide.
On the website safunkarsex.se, easy-to-read information about sex and a podcast are available. The complete film series is also available for free. The project concluded with a two-day conference in Göteborg featuring lectures, workshops, and great hangouts!
The project has continued to live on through the educational materials as well as lectures on sexual health, identity, and relationships. In 2017 a second edition of the fact book was printed, and in 2025 we published a third, updated edition.
Educational material
- The fact book is easy to read, with large letters and well-spaced text. The colours are calm and the language is simple to avoid distractions. The tone is mature. For those who cannot read very much or at all, the book includes many photos and illustrations with captions. The images are concrete and fun. The text combines factual information with personal stories and tips.
- The film Om sex follows Claudia and Oliver, who become interested in each other, go on a date, and have sex. We also meet Fatima and Tanja who have been together for ages and Gabi who knows quite a bit about sex.
The film is calmly paced and runs for 30 minutes. It is a feature film with a fictional story inspired by real experiences. - Kort om sex is a set of 30 cards featuring both photos and illustrations. Each card has accompanying questions that can be used to inspire discussion. The cards act as conversation aids or icebreakers. Using the images, participants can shift the focus from themselves. By describing and discussing what they see on the cards, participants can talk and think more freely, without being limited by who they are.
- The tutorial guide is intended for those who want to lead discussions about sex, love and relationships. It is based on the same structure as the fact book; each chapter begins with an in-depth text on the subject followed by discussion questions and exercises related to the fact book, images, and film. The discussion questions are meant to start conversations. The exercises are a mix of free association, role-play and games that encourage and guide the participants.
Target group
The primary target group was young adults and adults with intellectual disabilities and other cognitive difficulties. The secondary target group included LSS personnel (The Swedish Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments), teachers, relatives and other people who work with the primary target group.
The material can be used in different contexts, such as in schools, group homes, study circles and workplaces. It can be used as needed or as a regular feature.
The project was funded by the State Inheritance Fund.