Intimacy and Relationships
Intimacy and relationships are a huge part of being human – the very sources of our joy, comfort, and that deep connection we all crave. But for too many people living with a disability, this fundamental experience gets tangled up in stigma, misunderstanding, and a shortage of trustworthy information from those with lived experience.
There’s a long-standing myth that disabled people aren’t interested in, or even capable of, having romantic or sexual relationships. However, the simple truth is, people with disabilities are just like everyone else; they want closeness, affection, and companionship. This portrayals, or often simply the lack of any portrayal at all, contribute significantly to societal misconceptions. Navigating intimacy can be uniquely complex when support systems are overly cautious, when there’s a significant lack of education on these topics, and when basic privacy is hard to come by. Many individuals don’t just struggle to meet potential partners, but also to have their desires and rights acknowledged and respected.
Fortunately, there are several organisations who are actively addressing these issues. Charities like Scope, Mencap, and Supported Loving are working to challenge this outdated narrative by providing vital resources, advocating for rights, and creating safe spaces for open conversations about love, sex, and relationships. They, alongside other advocates, are also pushing for more nuanced and diverse representation in media, understanding its crucial role in shifting public perception.
Scope have produced some information and guidance on the topic of intimacy and relationships.
There in an introduction to physical and emotional intimacy, consent, and navigating potential barriers. It also highlights the importance of sex education and understanding one’s own body and desires.
Visit: Scope
Enhance the UK is a charity which is dedicated to challenging and changing societal perceptions of disability.
They are working to promote sexual health and awareness for people living with a disability. Their “Sex and Disability” initiative champions the right of disabled individuals to intimacy, sex, and relationships.
Visit: enhancetheuk.org/sex-and-disability/
Enhance the UK’s “Undressing Disability Resources” page offers a comprehensive collection of expert-led guides on sex, relationships, and disability.
The resources cover a range of diverse topics. Many guides are developed in partnership with other organisations, providing valuable insights for disabled individuals, carers, and professionals seeking information on sexual expression and well-being.
Visit: Undressing Disability Resources
The IFOPA produced a webinar, “FOP and Sexuality, Part 1,” facilitated by Dr. Michelle Fynan.
Dr. Michelle Fynan, is a Licensed Mental Health Counsellor with a PhD in Clinical Sexology, and shares her invaluable insights with the FOP community. She discusses the challenges and opportunities around expressing sexuality as a disabled individual. She highlights sexuality as a basic human need, offering guidance on both romantic relationships and individual sexual expression. It aims to foster open conversation about intimacy and relationships, acknowledging the unique challenges of living with FOP. The session also paid tribute to Nick Mahler, an advocate for accessible sexuality, who was a much-loved member of our FOP community.
Watch here: FOP and Sexuality
Changing Faces provides advice for people with a visible difference navigating relationships and social life.
The guidance covers various aspects, including initiating conversations, dating, and addressing challenges related to sex and physical intimacy. It offers practical tips on overcoming hurdles in dating, improving communication skills, leveraging social media, and meeting new people, aiming to empower individuals to build fulfilling connections despite societal perceptions of visible differences.
Visit: Changing Faces
Choice Support’s “Supported Loving” is a national network dedicated to enabling individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people to form and sustain loving relationships.
It emphasises that everyone has the right to intimacy and partnerships, advocating for high-quality, informed support in this area. The initiative offers extensive resources, guides, and information on sexuality and relationships, linking to valuable organisations, blogs, webinars, and legal insights to foster inclusive and supportive environments.
Visit: Supported Loving
