Sexuality & Disability

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Sex can be liberating, safe, and pleasurable. It is important to listen to your body, talk with your partner, friends, family, and health provider, and use protection properly every time. Depending on your disability, sex may require more innovation, patience and planning.

Quick facts on sexuality and disability

People with disabilities are sexual.
Having a disability does not make you less attractive or desirable.
Sex is not just intercourse and your disability can make you more creative and in tune with your body as you explore your sexuality.
People with disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual violence. Reports show 83% of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime (MECTRAC). Inform yourself about how to be as safe as possible
Some disabilities may affect the type of birth control you use, so it is important to talk with an informed health care provider.

Know your sexual and reproductive rights:

Physical integrity; includes life, liberty, and security of the person; comprehensive health care and health protection; making informed, autonomous decisions about your sexual and reproductive health; and, freedom from sexual violence.
Equality and non-discrimination; includes protection from discrimination in your sexual and reproductive lives, in particular in relation to access to health care and services, on the grounds of race, colour, sex or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, financial status, and disability.
Information and education; includes reliable, accurate, comprehensive, and accessible information about your sexual and reproductive health, rights, and responsibilities that is gender-sensitive, free from stereotypes, and provided in an objective, critical, and pluralistic manner.

Learn more about disabilities and sexuality by selecting from the list below:

Links

Updated June 30, 2008