The intersection of disability and sexuality represents one of society’s most overlooked yet essential conversations. Despite disability affecting over one billion people worldwide, discussions about sexual health, intimacy, and relationships within the disability community remain largely marginalized and misunderstood.
People with disabilities face unique challenges in expressing their sexuality, from physical barriers and accessibility issues to deeply ingrained societal misconceptions that desexualize disabled individuals. These barriers extend beyond the personal realm, affecting healthcare access, relationship opportunities, and fundamental human rights to intimacy and sexual expression.
The disability and sexuality discourse encompasses diverse experiences across physical, intellectual, sensory, and invisible disabilities. Each presents distinct considerations for sexual health education, adaptive techniques, assistive technologies, and inclusive healthcare practices. Healthcare providers, educators, and support networks often lack adequate training to address these complex needs sensitively and effectively.
Understanding disability and sexuality requires dismantling ableist assumptions while recognizing that disabled people are sexual beings with the same desires, needs, and rights as anyone else. This conversation is not merely about accommodation—it’s about dignity, autonomy, and the fundamental human experience of connection and intimacy that transcends physical or cognitive differences.
Comprehensive Directory of Disability and Sexuality Resources
Comprehensive Organizations and Education Centers
OHSU Sexual Health Resources
Comprehensive sexual health education resources specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including videos, guides, and training materials.
YAI Sexuality Resources
Rights, expression, and advocacy resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, featuring training programs and policy development support.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Sexual Health SIG
Professional network connecting individuals interested in disability and sexuality, providing resources and capacity building for sexual health needs.
Disability Resources Sexuality Guide
Comprehensive directory of sexuality and disability resources covering rights, education, research, and support for individuals, caregivers, and professionals.
SexEdVA Disability-inclusive Sexual Health Network
Virginia-based network providing disability-inclusive sexual health resources, videos, and learning tools for youth with disabilities and their support networks.
Autism and Neurodiversity Resources
Organization for Autism Research Sex Ed for Self-Advocates
Nine-module sexuality and sex education guide written specifically for autistic people age 15 and up, with articles, videos, and interactive learning tools.
OAR Sex Ed Additional Resources
Comprehensive collection of books, websites, and resources for autism-specific sexuality education, including materials for parents and professionals.
The Arc’s Autism Now Center
National resource hub offering information on community-based solutions for individuals with autism, including sexuality education resources.
Autism Speaks LGBTQ+ Resources
Information and resources specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals on the autism spectrum, including research findings and support services.
SPARK for Autism Sex Education
Research-based information about the importance of sex education for teens with autism, including safety considerations and program approaches.
SAAIL: Supporting Autistic Adults’ Intimate Lives
Archive of resources for autistic adults focusing on intimacy, relationships, and sexual health, including research and educational materials.
Medical News Today Autism and Sex
Evidence-based information about autism and sexuality, addressing development, challenges, and support strategies for autistic individuals.
Spinal Cord Injury Resources
MSKTC Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury
Comprehensive factsheet covering intimacy, sexuality, and connection after spinal cord injury, including information for both men and women.
Sexuality After SCI Video Archive
Video project created through collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital providing educational resources about sex, love, and intimacy after spinal cord injury.
PVA Sexuality and Reproductive Health Guidelines
Clinical practice guidelines for sexuality and reproductive health in adults with spinal cord injuries and diseases.
Mayo Clinic Sexuality and Fertility Management
Medical information about therapies and treatments to help manage sexual health and fertility after spinal cord injury.
Wikipedia: Sexuality After Spinal Cord Injury
Comprehensive overview of how spinal cord injury affects sexual function, including anatomical explanations and adaptation strategies.
Cerebral Palsy and Physical Disabilities
Cerebral Palsy Support Groups
Directory of cerebral palsy support groups and organizations offering community connections and resources for individuals and families.
VICE: Cerebral Palsy and Sex
Personal narrative and practical information about sexuality with cerebral palsy, addressing common challenges and communication strategies.
PMC: Sexuality of Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy
Research study describing problems young adults with cerebral palsy experience in sexual response cycles and emotional obstacles.
Cerebral Palsy Guidance LGBTQ+ Resources
Information and support resources for LGBTQ+ individuals with cerebral palsy, addressing unique challenges and advocacy needs.
PMC: Women with Cerebral Palsy Sexual Health Study
Qualitative research about women with cerebral palsy’s experiences with sexual and reproductive health education and services.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Green Mountain Self-Advocates Sexuality Resources
Self-advocacy organization providing resources and information about sexuality rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
PEATC Sexuality Toolkit
Practical tools and strategies for parents to help children with disabilities through puberty and adolescence, including sexuality education.
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Comprehensive sexuality education resources for students with disabilities, including curriculum guides and teaching materials.
NCIL Sexual Health Videos
Series of videos created by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities covering various sexuality topics.
Planned Parenthood Special Education Curriculum
Evidence-based, trauma-informed sexuality education curriculum designed for teams including self-advocates, staff, and teachers.
Advocacy and Rights Organizations
Disability Rights Center – New Hampshire
Information about sexual rights for people with disabilities, including policy recommendations and training for service providers.
CREA Sexuality and Disability Rights
International feminist organization working to advance sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls with disabilities.
HRC Disability and LGBTQ+ Resources
Human Rights Campaign resources addressing the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and disability, including advocacy strategies.
World Institute on Disability LGBTQ+ Advocates
Profiles of disabled LGBTQ+ activists and advocates working to advance rights and representation for intersectional communities.
PMC: Access to Sexual Rights Research
Academic research examining access to sexual rights for people with disabilities, with focus on intellectual disability experiences.
Professional and Healthcare Resources
UCSF Our Sexuality, Our Health Guide
Disabled advocate’s guide to relationships, romance, sexuality, and sexual health, written from lived experience perspective.
Sexuality in Transition Resource List
Curated resource list designed to increase sexuality professionals’ knowledge and awareness about sex and disability.
PMC: Cerebral Palsy Sexual Experiences Research
Descriptive study investigating experiences, challenges, and related factors of sexuality and intimacy for people with cerebral palsy.
PMC: Spinal Cord Medicine Sexuality Guidelines
Professional guidelines for healthcare providers on sexuality and reproductive health for adults with spinal cord injury.
Taylor & Francis: Disability and Sexuality Research
Academic research on claiming sexual and reproductive rights for people with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Educational Curricula and Training
Planned Parenthood Accessibility Training
Two-part course series for teachers to make sex education more accessible and inclusive for students with disabilities.
Project SHINE Sexual Health Toolkit
Collaborative toolkit for sexual reproductive health education for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Washington Coalition Sexuality Education Curriculum
Cognitively accessible 20-lesson curriculum for adults with developmental disabilities covering relationships, consent, and sexual health.
Planned Parenthood FLASH Special Education
Sexual health education curriculum specifically adapted for special education self-contained classes for ages 11-21.
3Rs Curriculum
Rights, Respect, Responsibility sexuality education curriculum with adaptations for students with disabilities at all grade levels.
Specific Conditions and Communities
Planned Parenthood Massachusetts Autism Resources
Sexuality education guidance specifically for youth on the autism spectrum and their families.
Better Health Victoria
Information about sexuality for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing that disability does not affect desire to express sexuality.
Disability Law Center Virginia Resources
Teen self-advocate developed resources covering student sex education rights and family life education in schools.
Wrong Planet Community
Web community for individuals with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and other neurological differences providing discussion forums and resources.
Support and Community
Cerebral Palsy Foundation
Organization dedicated to enhancing lives of people with cerebral palsy through research, advocacy, and community support programs.
Inspire CP Support Group
Active online support group including discussions about independent living, relationships, treatments, and family support.
Mommies of Miracles
Large virtual support group for parents of disabled children offering forums, programs, resources, and peer support.
My Cerebral Palsy Child Resources
Comprehensive resource guide for families dealing with cerebral palsy, including support groups and community connections.
This comprehensive directory represents 45 verified resources about disability and sexuality, organized by topic and community need. Each resource has been quality-checked for accessibility and current availability. The directory serves as a starting point for individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and advocates seeking evidence-based information and support around sexuality and disability topics.
Related Subjects
Homosexuality, Bisexuality and Disability
Parents with Disabilities
Women with Disabilities
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