Everyone has Sex-Ability!

16^th-22^nd September is national Sexual Health Week!

This year, we want to get everyone talking about ‘Sex-Ability’ – our belief that everyone has the ability to form and enjoy intimate relationships, including people with disabilities. We’re aiming to challenge myths around sex and disability and promote better access to support services. Let’s get people talking and make the topic of sex and disability more ‘normal’ – after all, it already is!

Challenging the myths

Disabilities shouldn’t hold anyone back from having intimate relationships. Yet the topic of sex and disability isn’t often discussed in the media and rarely appears on our TV screens – something which allows misconceptions to thrive.

Common myths about sex and disability can include:

That people with disabilities don’t need, or want, intimate relationships
That people with learning disabilities can’t consent to sex
People with disabilities aren’t able to have sex
Sex education isn’t necessary for people with disabilities

This week, we’re doing our part to challenge these myths by sharing positive stories about inclusive relationships and helping to make this topic more visible online.

Members of Spectrums outreach team will be promoting Sexual Health Week in the following places:

Wednesday 18^th9am-11am Drury Lane Centre

Wednesday 18^th 9am-12.00am Barnsley Collage Main Campus

Thursday 19^th 10.30-11.30am Pontefract Day Centre

Thursday 19^th 12.30-14.00pm Westgate Hostel

Friday 20^th 10.30-12.30 Community Awareness Programme, Wakefield

Friday 20^th 14.00-16.00 Fairburn Mews (Castleford)

Relationships

Yearning for companionship is universal and we all want to enjoy being close to another person. Yet the latest research reveals that only 3% of adults with a learning disability live as part of a couple, compared to 70% of the general population.

These statistics show that people with disabilities face more barriers in finding and forming intimate relationships than other people; and in turn, this can mean that they struggle to find relationship advice or talk openly about love and sex. This week, we want to spark conversations which encourage more people to open up.

Support Services

Even for adults who are in a relationship, lack of inclusive support can make it hard to find important sexual health information – including how to access contraception, prevent unplanned pregnancy or avoid risks such as grooming and sexual exploitation.

That’s why we’re raising awareness of support services to help people with disabilities get the support they need. Love doesn’t discriminate, so why should we?

For advice about contraception or other sexual health queries, call your local Spectrum clinic or come along to a Walk-In session.

Resources

Brook are a national sexual health charity and they have produced a number of free resources and videos for use by sex education professionals and service users, you can find the links below:

Free resource guide

Brook’s Sexual Expression resource including activities and image cards
This resource, Living your Life was produced in collaboration with young people and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, and staff working in education, health and social care settings.

Brook and Mencap guide for healthcare professionals on making services more accessible

Brook and Mencap guide for families and carers on talking about sex and relationships to a young person with a learning disability

Brooke & IPPF Films

Here are a series of short films made with young people, addressing key sexual health topics including relationships, sex and disability.

Let’s Talk About…

Brook & Fettle

Be part of the movement to normalise sex and disability. Take a kit to give a kit. Find out more at Fettle and follow #TakeOneGiveOne.

Read Brook’s position statement on sexuality, relationships and disability

BSL Film

Here are ten British Sign Language films created in partnership with SignHealth on various topics relating to relationships and sex