NUTS & BOLTS
Disability can have a profound impact on your sex life, on the way you do it, and also the amount you have it. There are so many barriers facing disabled people who want to have an active sex life; Self confidence, Self esteem, Finding a partner and Overcoming physical and emotional barriers.
In fact, all those same barriers apply to anyone wanting an active sex life. The difference however for disabled people is that no one seems to want to talk about sex and disability. Targeted relationships and sex education for young disabled people is practically non existent. Support for couples coming to terms with disability and the impact it has on their relationship is thin on the ground. We talk to disabled people every day who are struggling to access basic sexual health services, such as STI screening.
THE PERFECT PARTNER
Open almost any magazine and you’ll find an article about what makes for an attractive partner. We all value different qualities – whether it’s intelligence, sense of humour, looks, or financial security. No one ever says disability. Who wants their disability to be a sexual commodity? The problem is, we never talk about disability and sexuality in the same sentence. And the result is that people often fear their disability is an active turn-off.
So what are we doing about it?
Free sexual health test kit
We paired up with SH24 and Fettle Health to offer free STI test kits to disabled people. Our campaign ran for three months and gave individuals who may struggle to access sexual health screening the opportunity to do a free test in the comfort of their home.
Thanks to SH24 and Fettle Health for their support with this important campaign.
Supporting care homes
We at Enhance the UK are currently working alongside care homes to support them in ensuring they and their staff have all the know-how, so that disabled people in their setting can exercise their right of sexual expression in a safe and legal way. We run focus groups with staff to determine what resources and training are required and then work together to create and deliver bespoke packages.
If you would like further information, please do get in touch.
The Undressing Disability Hub
Sign up FREE to our Undressing Disability Hub, an online networking platform for people to share information, education, experience and resources within the world of disability and sexuality.
We are so often encouraged to make connections and have conversations at work and within our professions, but at Enhance the UK, we believe there’s still so much that can be done to further communication and learning in this area of love, sex, relationships and impairments – and there’s nothing better than sharing ideas, creating projects together and learning from each other. Think of it as LinkedIn’s fun, sexy sibling that’s ready to make a stand and push for progress.
The Love Lounge
We have created an area where you can ask us any questions you want regarding sex and disability, including topics like relationship advice, dating, meeting people, coming out as gay — whatever the question is, talk to our ‘sexperts’.
Raising Awareness
We believe that for change to happen the first step is to raise awareness.
We have spoken at numerous conferences and events, featured in articles and on podcasts, appeared on television and radio shows and taken over social media channels to name a few! If you would like to book us to work with you please do get in touch.
The Undressing Disability Book
Undressing Disability celebrates the desires, bodies and humanity of 19 disabled people, whilst proudly lifting the taboo on sex and disability. Support our cause and get your hard copy or Ebook today to read on your Kindle, Apple and Android devices.
