There Is Virtually No Sexual Education For People With Disabilities

Sexual beings are all of us. But we're all not treated the same way.

One in four people living in the U.S. lives with disabilities and yet for many people with disabilities, their gender-related education issues have been left unanswered which leaves them vulnerable to sexual assault, dangerous actions and lonely. No matter if you have an impairment or know someone who has one the case, this gap must be close to help promote equality of sexuality.

Since sexual education gets less funding and is more limited in its accessibility and scope, those who are disabled are usually excluded from even the simplest programs. Five states have a requirement for inclusive sex education for people who are disabled, and two of those are non-negotiable and 36 states do not mention sex education for those with special disabilities in any way. This means that people with disabilities rely on their parents and media sources for information, which can be inaccurate, incomplete, or even nonexistent.

The most common misconceptions regarding sex and those who have disabilities

This lack of knowledge has created misconceptions and barriers regarding sexuality and disability. The most important thing to know:

• Disability-related people are the same as everyone else in regards to sexuality: Most people with disabilities aren't sexually active or excessively sexual and have uncontrollable urges. By limiting their experiences, they limit their ability to explore themselves and their sexual health.

• Consent remains more important than ever before: The lack of confidence for people with disabilities to express their wants and needs leaves them vulnerable to sexual abuse and unhygienic relationships.

• For a lot of people, the process of infantilization is never over: Guardians and support networks tend to treat people who have disabilities as perpetual children without discussing sexuality and relationships. The result is that they are not given any safe place to study their sexuality.

• They could be affected by their rights to reproductive health being denied: People with disabilities need to be educated regarding their rights to reproductive health as well as access to high-quality health care.

• sexual dysfunction is usually thought to be the result of a handicap. This misconception discourages those who are disabled from seeking assistance and receiving the best treatment.

• There's an element of risk in relation to sexual-ed: Fear of liability prevents the majority of healthcare professionals and teachers from talking about sexual well-being and a healthy way to explore.

• Outsiders make judgments on who belongs in relationships a relationship with two disabled people is not unusual and people who are able-bodied who have relationships with people who have disabilities aren't getting settled or profiting.

These obstacles to sexuality are serious and have long-lasting implications. Children who are disabled have significantly more likely to be victims of sexual assault than the rest of their counterparts, which can increase to seven times the risk when they become adults. Between 40 to 70 percent of females have disabilities and as high as 30 percent of boys suffer sexual assaults before the age of 18. disabled women tend to be more two times more at risk to develop sexually transmitted illnesses than other women. The feeling of loneliness and mental stress are more common for people who have disabilities because of stigma and social isolation in relationships and dating.

What can we do to promote equality of sexuality for those who have disabilities?

Here are a few steps to encourage equality of sexuality:

• Promoting inclusive sexual education. Funding and policies to expand sexual education for all and provide the best training available for educators and service the providers.

• Establish trust with communities with disabilities. Sex educators as well as healthcare providers must collaborate with members of the community to change policies and engage disabled people in the decision-making process.

• Ask instead of assuming. People with disabilities must seek assistance with sexual health issues. Healthcare providers should assess the health of their sexual partners for all patients.

• Intensify discussions about sexuality and disability. Make sexual equality more normal by including stories of sex and the relationships between disabled people in discussions.

• Challenge myths. Change the perceptions around gender and disability by challenging stereotypical beliefs and creating an inclusive and safe space.

Promoting equality of sexuality for disabled people is vital to their happiness and well-being. Through removing barriers and having discussions that are open to create an inclusive and welcoming society that is inclusive for all.