Fight for sexual rights of disabled people.

The scandalous neglect of the sexual and emotional wellbeing of men and women with disabilities will be addressed at a ground-breaking conference on sex and disability being held at the Royal Society of Medicine.

‘Disability: Sex Relationships and Pleasure' on 13th November is designed to help people include the subject of sexual relationships in the care of people with disabilities.

The importance of the role of sex workers will be demonstrated by a home manager, lawyer, sex workers and disabled people, including performances. A tantric sex teacher will make love to the face, neck and head of a quadriplegic man. A deafblind man will enjoy a striptease.

Emerging best practices will be discussed, on engaging with disabled people about their sexual and relationship problems, writing policies and training.

Dave Thompson MBE DL – Chair of WDP Trustees and Jayne Horton – WDP Chief Officer are members of the organising committee for this event and Dave Thompson has been invited to be the opening speaker. WDP are currently working on two projects around Relationships, Sex and Disability Matters – a Helpline and Information File for local Statutory, Private, Third Sector organisations and individuals to access when help and information is needed (funded by NHS Warrington) and another project raising awareness in Schools and Colleges around Relationships, Sex and Disability with young people (funded by Leonard Cheshire Disability’s In Touch).
Dave said ‘When I received the invitation to be involved in this national conference I felt great pride on behalf of WDP. It recognised our efforts in this area of work; which for too long has been hidden away due to embarrassment and lack of understanding. The conference will provide us with an opportunity to influence national decision makers from health, social care and third sectors.’

Dr Tuppy Owens, founder of Outsiders and SHADA says: “The Sex and Disability Helpline hears many stories a day about disabled people feeling unsupported and stranded.

“It is damaging to disabled people if their sex and relationship needs are not included in consideration of their general needs.

“Helping disabled people enjoy romance, sex and relationships, not only creates happiness but also defeats the deadening effects of social isolation and personal failure.

“Many people who become disabled go through enormous personal upheavals, and may find that they cannot make love the same way as before. People who are disabled from birth may be doubly disabled because of early abuse, teasing, bullying, feeling left out and feeling undesirable. With a little support, their lives can be turned around.

“Fortunately there are some health professionals who want to provide support in this manner but they may not feel equipped to do so. Worse, they may be misguidedly discouraged or even forbidden from doing so by their boss, charity or professional body. The issue of using sex workers with patients with disability is often proposed, yet remains highly controversial, and the conference hopes to address some of these sensitive areas.

“Ideally, the conference would therefore have amongst its delegates all the CEOs of disability charities, social services, residential homes and colleges, support agencies, spinal units, hospitals, and funders.

“However, historically, the people at top like to pay lip service to the idea that their service users enjoy real choice, empowerment and freedom, so long as that does not actually include sex.”

Anyone interested can learn more and register by calling 020 7290 2987 or sending an email to sexmed@rsm.ac.uk .