Disability, Sexual Health, and Participatory Video: Advocating for Sexual Rights

Abstract

This action research study addresses sexual health as a critical human rights issue in the disability community. Twelve participants engaged in the co-creation and editing of a series of videos about the dimensions of sexual rights as experienced and understood by persons with developmental disabilities. The participants also uploaded the videos onto digital platforms and took on the role of community educators while incorporating their videos into their larger advocacy campaign.This article begins with a brief review of the literature on sexual health and disability, noting there is a paucity of research that considers storied narratives when exploring the topic of sexual rights and disablement. Drawing on critical disability theory and Freirean pedagogy, the second section explores how a group of adults with developmental disabilities used participatory video as an advocacy tool in disrupting colonial voices through reclaiming histories and leading discussions about their sexual rights. Further implications and limitations to this study are also addressed.