Sexual Health Education: Modifying Outreach Efforts for Individuals with Disabilities

Background:  In recent years, societal attitudes and policy changes have resulted in improved conditions for people living with disabilities. However, people living with disabilities often receive limited access to sexual health education and pregnancy prevention. As a population that is especially vulnerable to sexual abuse, efforts must be taken to make sure individuals are also educated on consent and coercion. Modifications to traditional sexual health programming are essential to ensure the material is beneficial for people living with disabilities.

Methods:  Creating relationships with agencies serving people with disabilities has allowed the Family AIDS Clinic and Educational Services (FACES) program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to deliver custom sexual health education to at risk individuals. Custom programming elements include components of a healthy relationship, basic anatomy, public vs private spaces, consent, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy. Basic diagrams, models, and interactive components are used to better illustrate information tailored to the needs of the client.

Results:  By expanding our sexual health education efforts to reach to people living with disabilities, we have delivered sexual health education through the Goodwill, private homes, and the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities.  We will be expanding our outreach efforts to serve people with vision and hearing impairments.

Conclusions:  Sexual health programs need to include people living with disabilities in their outreach efforts.