Reproductive Autonomy for Individuals With Disabilities: Necessary Knowledge for Rehabilitation Counselors

Abstract

Reproductive autonomy, or the ability to make decisions about one’s reproductive health, has been historically limited for individuals with disabilities. Within the last century alone, they have experienced forced sterilization, asexualization, negative stereotyping, and poor birth outcomes. Rehabilitation counselors can play a unique role in changing this harmful narrative and supporting the decision-making of their clients. As a field, rehabilitation counseling has often acknowledged considerations related to disability and sexuality, but gaps exist in the discussion of reproduction-related topics such as abortion care, fertility support, and the experience of pregnancy remain. The literature reviewed in this paper highlights the significance of these issues, particularly the historical and current disparities in access and need. Greater recognition, education, and advocacy regarding reproductive autonomy in rehabilitation counseling is necessary to ensure that practitioners are supporting clients in a supportive and appropriate way.