About the Undressing Disability Campaign

Learn About Our Campaign in BSL

Undressing Disability is a campaign aiming to raise standards in sexual health and sexual awareness for disabled people.

Having a disability can be a very isolating experience. As well as physical barriers, there is still a huge amount of prejudice towards disability amongst the general public. People often hold the misguided notion that disabled people can’t, don’t or won’t have sex. There is a stigma that unfortunately is often internalised by disabled people who often suffer with self esteem problems as a result.

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Lack of support

Issues around sexuality and sexual frustration are frequently raised by disabled people who feel that they have less opportunity and ability to explore their sexuality than others.

Through a lack of understanding, education and a general lack of services, disabled people frequently cannot access the support that would make it possible for them to make the sorts of choices about their lifestyles that most of us take for granted.

Our campaign focuses on raising standards in key areas:

  1. Inclusive sex and relationship education
  2. Meeting the sexual needs of people with disabilities in Residential Care
  3. Professionals working with disabled people to consider sexual needs as part of their practice

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Key focuses of the campaign

Removing the taboo of sex and disability

This campaign seeks to challenge public perceptions.

Even in these times of technological advances and individual liberation, disabled people are still seen as less desirable, attractive and sexy, and as people who don’t, won’t and can’t have sex. On all levels, this is simply not true.

Changing these perceptions takes time, but is hugely important, not only so disabled people can rightfully feel attractive, but so that they can access the sexual health and education they deserve, and be recognised as sexual beings by their loved ones, support workers and the wider general public. Our Undressing Disability campaign has the desire to remove this taboo at its very roots.

Inclusive relationships and sex education

We want specifically tailored resources that will inform our young people, and keep them safe.

Disabled young people often say that relationships and sex education is not inclusive to their needs. Videos show non-disabled bodies, resources do not mention the different ways they may have to masturbate or have intercourse, and penetrative sex is always seen as the end result. Penetration may not be possible for everyone, but the ability to be sensual and sexual is. Disabled women are also three times as likely to experience domestic and sexual violence than their non-disabled peers, so content discussing consent and boundaries, and signposting to accessible resources and information, is also vital.

We are working with sex education providers to ensure their workshop content is inclusive to all – and not only when a disabled person is in the room. If disabled people are to be viewed as attractive, desirable and, dare we say it, ‘normal’, it is vital for young non-disabled people to engage in inclusive sex education lessons, too.

Improving sexual health awareness and provision

Due to a lack of understanding and education, sexual health is an area that has been severely neglected for disabled people

At a basic level, lack of appropriate and inclusive sex education has resulted in a lack of awareness surrounding sexual health within the disabled community, with other factors, such as a lack of accessibility, only maximising the problem. Many doctors’ surgeries do not have accessible facilities and equipment – such as hoists – leading to disabled people not being regularly screened. More concerning is the fact that many doctors make the rash assumption that disabled people are not sexually active and therefore do not offer the tests they would to others.

In light of this, we are currently creating training resources and information for medical professionals themselves to ensure this presumption around sexual health and disability is halted

Meeting the sexual needs of people with disabilities in residential care

For those living in residential care, or dependent upon full time care, sex can be a particularly difficult subject to raise

Many carers simply don’t feel comfortable discussing sex with the people they support, and those that do are often unsure what is appropriate in terms of assistance. Is it appropriate, for example, to position a couple in bed for sex? Should staff agree to purchase pornography or sex aids for a client? If they do, are they expected to help the individual use these items by, say, putting pornography on the television or turning on a sex toy? Legally, this is a grey area as it usually left to individuals or organisations to navigate themselves.

To support carers through this grey area, whilst ensuring that disabled people are able to have appropriate access to the sexual expression they deserve, we are working with care homes across the UK to produce and provide good practice guidelines and training on sexual awareness to support care staff to deliver the best possible service to disabled clients with physical and sensory impairments.

People supporting disabled people to consider sexual needs as part of their practice

All of the following professionals have the opportunity to support disabled people with/ accessing their right to sexual expression.

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and Speech and language therapists . Paediatricians, doctors, nurses, counsellors, and social workers. Sexual health practitioners, sex educators, sex therapists and youth workers to name a few.

We understand that this is an area that many people find difficult and uncomfortable, making it awkward to even initiate these conversations. We also recognise that it can feel overwhelming, not always knowing what you can and can’t do. That’s why we have created our disability and sexual expression training to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed.

For individuals being cared for by family members – particularly parents – sex and pleasure are rarely discussed.  It can be difficult to navigate the awkwardness and ensure appropriate boundaries are in place.  If you’re have difficulties, then the Love Lounge is the place that can support you.

Learn About Our Campaign in BSL