Sexuality and disability

Abstract

Despite the medical, technical, and legal advances that have better integrated people with disabilities into American society over the past 30 years, sexuality in this population remains a neglected topic [2]. People with disabilities often describe themselves as being perceived as ‘‘asexual’’ by society and by their physicians [1]. Yet, as societal attitudes toward people with disabilities evolve, the notion is increasingly accepted that a desire for intimacy and loving relationships, including the opportunity to express sexuality in an appropriate and healthy way, is a legitimate and fundamental human right whether or not the individual is disabled [2–5]. Health care providers may feel ill prepared to discuss sexuality, particularly with a patient with a disability, due to their limited formal educational exposure to this topic [2]. Furthermore, they are influenced by a society that has subscribed to the myths that people with disabilities are incapable and uninterested in sex and aberrant if they demonstrate an interest in sex [1,2,6]. Disability can be construed to cover a constellation of conditions, including various impairments and chronic illnesses. This article addresses sexual and reproductive themes common to patients with differing abilities. In general, disability means that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that has an effect on the individual’s ability to carry out normal daily activities. The impairment must be substantial, adverse, and long term. According to the 2000 census [7], 19.3% of people 5 years of age and older have a disability (Table 1). Health care providers will certainly continue to encounter an increasing number of patients with disabilities because of the improved survival of children and adults with severe congenital, genetic, and acquired conditions and efforts to mainstream