Why is the sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities often deemed "risky" or "inappropriate" by teachers, parents, support staff, medical professionals, judges, and the media? Should sexual citizenship depend on IQ? Confronting such questions head-on, Already Doing It exposes the "sexual ableism" that denies the reality of individuals who, despite the restrictions they face, actively make decisions about their sexual lives. Tracing the history of efforts in the United States to limit the sexual freedoms of such persons⎯using methods such as forced sterilization, invasive birth control, and gender-segregated living arrangements--Michael Gill demonstrates that these widespread practices stemmed from dominant views of disabled sexuality, not least the notion that intellectually disabled women are excessively sexual and fertile while their male counterparts are sexually predatory. Analyzing legal discourses, sex education materials, and news stories going back to the 1970s, he shows, for example, that the intense focus on "stranger danger" in sex education for intellectually disabled individuals disregards their ability to independently choose activities and sexual partners--including nonheterosexual ones, who are frequently treated with heightened suspicion. He also examines ethical issues surrounding masturbation training that aims to regulate individuals' sexual lives, challenges the perception that those whose sexuality is controlled (or rejected) should not reproduce, and proposes recognition of the right to become parents for adults with intellectual disabilities. A powerfully argued call for sexual and reproductive justice for people with intellectual disabilities, Already Doing It urges a shift away from the compulsion to manage "deviance" (better known today as harm reduction) because the right to pleasure and intellectual disability are not mutually exclusive. In so doing, it represents a vital new contribution to the ongoing debate over who, in the United States, should be allowed to have sex, reproduce, marry, and raise children.

Making good decisions about sexuality is a critical part of adulthood, but sometimes people with intellectual disabilities don't get the support or education they need to navigate this complex aspect of life. Professionals will change that with this urgently needed book, which gives social workers, teachers, and direct support professionals the comprehensive information they need to educate people with disabilities about sexuality and help them make the best possible choices across the lifespan. Blending in-depth examination of legal and clinical issues with sensitive discussion of the emotional side of sexuality, expert contributors from diverse fields help readers deliver meaningful, individualized, and culturally sensitive sexuality education understand parents' perspectivesâe"and help them provide appropriate information and support to their child throughout life assist people with disabilities in managing risks associated with sexual activity use behavior interventions to encourage appropriate sexual expression help people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender validate their feelings and counter negative messages address issues related to medical care and intervention for people with disabilities Going beyond the facts of life, this book gives professionals candid interviews and personal anecdotes that show how real-life couples with disabilities handle the joys and challenges of their relationships--courtship, sex, parenthood, disagreements, finances, and more. Readers will also get examples of effective sexuality education techniques and vivid case studies that illustrate key points. With this frank, thorough, and highly readable guide, professionals will better advocate for people with disabilities and help them reap the social and emotional benefits of healthy, responsible, age-appropriate sexuality.

A guide for parents, teachers, social workers, and others working with either children or adults. Presents practical suggestions for dealing with such issues as masturbation, sexual intercourse, sexual health, fertility, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, and sexual exploitation.

While the civil rights movement has put disability issues centre-stage, there has been minimal discussion of disabled people's sexuality. This book, based on first-hand accounts, takes a close look at questions of identity, relationships, sex, love, parenting and abuse and demolishes the taboo around disability and sex. It shows the barriers to disabled people's sexual rights and sexual expression, and also the ways in which these obstacles are being challenged. Variously moving, angry, funny and proud, The Sexual Politics of Disability is about disabled people sharing their stories and claiming their place as sexual beings. It is a pioneering work, and essential reading for anyone interested in disability or sexual politics.

Many health and social care professionals today feel untrained, fearful and ill-equipped to support their disabled patients, clients and service users in their sexual lives. The result is that disabled people can be left feeling frustrated and afraid that their sexual needs will be forever unrecognised and unmet. This is a straight-talking guide to supporting disabled people with their sexual lives. It covers the range of difficulties disabled people experience, from physical limitations to problems such as lack of acceptance, knowledge and skills. The real difficulties professionals experience are also covered with positive suggestions, and a chapter on communication discusses how to discuss sex. Sections follow on the sexual services available to help, and the wide range of sexual diversities which disabled people can and do enjoy. A chapter by Claire de Than covers the law. This clear, down-to-earth guide will be essential reading for all those working with or supporting disabled people, from care home workers and managers to social workers, medical staff and therapists.

Introducing the first self-help sex guide for the millions of people living with disabilities, chronic pain and illness. From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and spinal chord injury to Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia and others, the book provides encouragement, support and expert information on sex positions, orgasms and sex toys. Featuring a resource guide with hundreds of books, web sites and organisations, this book will be a huge relief for all those unnecessarily suffering in silence and alone.

Young, Disabled and LGBT+ brings together the work of an international team interested in exploring the intersection of sexuality, gender identity, and disability in the lives of young people and aims to further develop this area as a distinct area of study. This volume features original research and writing into lives that are often misunderstood, marginalised and under-represented in research. It is framed with artwork, poetry and writing from young disabled LGBT+ people, and centralises the voices and lives of young disabled LGBT+ people throughout. Drawing from disciplines including: sociology, psychology, disability and youth studies, and with contributions from practitioners, it examines experiences and research from a number of perspectives, such as education, personal lives and activism. Featuring work from the UK, Canada, United States, India and Australia, it is a timely and topical book which will appeal to scholars particularly interested in sexuality, gender, disability and youth studies; professionals within health, education, social work and youth work who aim to understand and support young disabled LGBT+ people; and young people themselves.

In this exploration of intimate relationships between people with physical disabilities and those without, Sarah Smith Rainey shatters the myth of sexless, burdensome partnerships¿and in its place reveals a rich and rewarding continuum of emotional and physical intimacies.

Rainey draws on interviews, autobiographies, and films to show how disabled/nondisabled couples not only build mutually satisfying relationships by giving and receiving in equal measure, but also move beyond traditional gender roles to create new forms of sexual intimacy. She also takes note of the challenges these couples face. With sensitivity and clarity, she offers an unparalleled portrait of the lived experience of disability and sexuality.

This handbook provides a much-needed holistic overview of disability and sexuality research and scholarship. With authors from a wide range of disciplines and representing a diversity of nationalities, it provides a multi-perspectival view that fully captures the diversity of issues and outlooks. Organised into six parts, the contributors explore long-standing issues such as the psychological, interpersonal, social, political and cultural barriers to sexual access that disabled people face and their struggle for sexual rights and participation. The volume also engages issues that have been on the periphery of the discourse, such as sexual accommodations and support aimed at facilitating disabled people's sexual well-being; the socio-sexual tensions confronting disabled people with intersecting stigmatised identities such as LGBTBI or asexual; and the sexual concerns of disabled people in the Global South. It interrogates disability and sexuality from diverse perspectives, from more traditional psychological and sociological models, to various subversive and post-theoretical perspectives and queer theory. This handbook examines the cutting-edge, and sometimes ethically contentious, concerns that have been repressed in the field. With current, international and comprehensive content, this book is essential reading for students, academics and researchers in the areas of disability, gender and sexuality, as well as applied disciplines such as healthcare practitioners, counsellors, psychology trainees and social workers.

By drawing on the experience of trans people who are affected by physical disability, chronic illness and mental illness, this book is the definitive guide on providing best practise in approaches to health and care policy. Suggesting solutions to areas where understanding and care provision is poor, Kermode gives advice on topics such as transitioning with a disability, sex-specific service provision and fertility and reproduction. The book also examines how health and care professionals can adapt to cater for transgender and non-binary people's needs and can support those who must use health services due to their condition. Written in an accessible and comprehensive manner, Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary People with Disabilities or Illnesses is an essential guide for practitioners in health and social care positions.

Puberty, personal hygiene and sex can be difficult topics to broach with your child, especially when they have an intellectual disability or autism. The authors of this guide provide honest answers to challenging questions and provide solutions to the dilemmas that many parents face on a daily basis. Structured around issues related to puberty and emerging sexuality in children with disabilities or autism, such as physical changes, mood swings and sexual behaviour, the book presents case studies alongside practical guidance on how to overcome problems that commonly arise. The book also explains laws relevant to disability and sexuality and suggests appropriate sex education programmes to meet the needs of differing degrees of disability.