Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Young People With Disabilities
People with disabilities, including disabled young people, have the same needs and rights to sexual and reproductive health information and services as their peers. This video discusses how young people with disabilities have the right to make decisions about their bodies, relationships, and sexual and reproductive health; while emphasizing the importance of advocating for human rights includes being an ally to young people with disabilities regarding their sexual and reproductive health. [AMZ-141]
Youth
All people have different types of bodies and abilities, even young people, this is what makes us all unique-there is no such thing as a ‘perfect body’! Some people have different abilities-sometimes called disabilities or ‘differently-abled’-but really, it just means a unique way of living and experiencing the world. Around the globe, people talk about bodies and abilities differently. In some situations, people might not share that they have a disability. In other situations, people introduce themselves with their disability identity first, they might sign, ‘I am a deaf’, or sometimes people say things like ‘Hi my name is…, and I have a disability’. No matter how people communicate about their bodies and abilities, it is important to respect their choices and speak to them, and about them, in the ways they feel most affirmed and respected.
There are many ways people with disabilities experience the world; some people move around in wheelchairs, others communicate with sign language or computers, and some people have trusted adults who help them with daily tasks like making decisions, going to the bathroom, or coping with feelings. Moving our bodies and minds differently is what makes us all special-and is a great way to show our unique personalities-embrace and be proud of your unique self! It’s also important to remember that disabled people, however they identify, have the same rights, feelings, and wants as everyone else. This includes the desire to be in relationships and explore sexual and romantic feelings.
If you’re a disabled person, you probably have some of the same feelings about your body as your friends, like sexual or romantic feelings towards others, notice your body changing during puberty, and have questions about your body. Whatever you are feeling, know that it is natural and healthy, and you have the same human rights to these feelings, the information, and the services as your friends and classmates. This includes choosing to be or not be in relationships with others, making decisions about how you will care for your body when it goes through puberty or menstruates, communicating when and how people can touch you, and making decisions about birth control and pregnancy. Your body is yours, and even if you experience the world differently, you have a right to make the choices that are best for you!
Sometimes you might need help caring for your body, you might need someone to help you move, communicate, go to the bathroom, get dressed, or eat. If anyone touches your body without your permission, in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, hurts you physically or emotionally, or pressures you to participate in sexual activity, tell your trusted adult immediately. If your trusted adult has hurt you, and you need help, feel confused, or need someone to talk to, google resources in your community for people with disabilities or ask an ally for support.
You probably know a person with a disability, even if you can’t see it. Being an ally means noticing when the rights of others aren’t being respected and helping them to make change. There are lots of ways to be an ally to disabled people. First, make sure to learn about the rights of others, including young disabled people. Remember that all people are individuals, and everyone has a right to make their own, unique decisions when it comes to their bodies; not everyone with the same disability will make the same choice, and everyone feels different about their disability. Next, speak up when you notice words and actions that are hurtful, physically or emotionally; tell a trusted adult or contact a local organization for help. If you feel like a friend’s rights have been violated, or someone has made them feel uncomfortable, or if something just isn’t quite right, talk to your trusted adult immediately, they can help you find support and get help. Don’t forget to include and work with disabled people in everything you do, whether it’s starting a club, making an online campaign, or changing rules at school or in your community. Most importantly, understand that sometimes you might make mistakes, there is no such thing as a perfect ally, but continue to learn, grow, and speak up!
Remember, working together to support the rights of all people is the best way to ensure the safety, health, and happiness of everyone!
FAQs
It can definitely be confusing to know when you can and can’t kiss someone you like. The only way to know for sure if you can kiss your partner or engage in other sexual behaviors with them is to ask them each and every time. This is called getting their consent. It is very common to think that your partner may be into kissing or another sexual behavior by the way they are acting, but just because someone is acting a certain way, it doesn’t necessarily mean they want to engage in a behavior.
Even though rejection can be hurtful, it’s important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you. So, don’t think that you need to change any aspect of your looks, personality or values. You are perfect just the way you are!
It’s not right that this happened to you, and it is not your fault. No one should touch you, or force you to touch them, in a way that is not okay, whether you know this person or not or if this person is an adult or older kid or even someone your age. Don’t keep this a secret. Find someone you trust, like a parent, family member, teacher, coach, a friend’s parent or neighbor, and tell them what happened. There are people out there who can help. By law, most adult professionals (like teachers, coaches and doctors) are required to report this information to the police, so they can help to protect you and try to prevent the crime from happening again. You may be worried about getting the person who touched you or made you touch them in trouble, but remember that you have done nothing wrong and deserve to be safe. The best way to prevent this from happening again or to someone else is to talk to a trusted adult. You could talk face to face or on the phone. You could also send a text, email or letter. You could even make a drawing, if that’s easier. The important thing is to tell someone. Keep telling until you get help.
Test your knowledge
Additional Resources
Parents
All people have different types of bodies and abilities, even young people, this is what makes us all unique-there is no such thing as a ‘perfect body’! Some young people have different abilities-sometimes called disabilities or ‘differently-abled’-but really, it just means a unique way of living and experiencing the world. Around the globe, people talk about bodies and abilities differently. In some situations, young people might not share that they have a disability. In other situations, young people may introduce themselves with their disability identity first. No matter how young people communicate about their bodies and abilities, it is important to respect their choices and speak to them, and about them, in the ways they feel most affirmed and respected.
There are many ways young people with disabilities experience the world; some young people move around in wheelchairs, others communicate with sign language or computers. Some parents and other trusted adults help their young person with daily tasks like making decisions, going to the bathroom, or coping with feelings. It’s important to remember that young people with a disability, however they identify, have the same rights, feelings, and wants as everyone else. This includes the desire to be in relationships and explore sexual and romantic feelings.
If your young person is disabled, they probably have some of the same feelings about their body as their friends, like sexual or romantic feelings towards others. They also might have questions regarding how their body is changing during puberty, and have questions about their body. Whatever they are feeling, assure them that it is natural and healthy, and they have the same human rights to these feelings, the information, and the services as their friends and classmates. This includes choosing to be or not be in relationships with others, making decisions about how they will care for their body when they go through puberty or menstruation, communicating when and how people can touch them, and making decisions about birth control and pregnancy.
Sometimes they might need help caring for their body, they might need a trusted adult’s help to move, communicate, go to the bathroom, get dressed, or eat. If anyone touches their body without their permission, in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, hurts them physically or emotionally, or pressures them to participate in sexual activity, ensure that they tell you as a parent or trusted adult immediately. If a trusted adult has hurt them, a young person may need help, feel confused, or need someone to talk to, locate resources in your community for people with disabilities or ask an ally for support.
Conversation Starters
If you have a child with a disability, it’s essential that you have conversations about topics like puberty, relationships and boundaries, so your child knows that they can come to you with questions. The easiest way to start these conversations is to talk about issues as they come up in everyday life, like while watching TV together.
Below are some ways to start these conversations:
Have dinner together and talk about what is going on in your tween’s life. When they mention friends or classmates that have romantic partners, you can then use this time to talk about healthy relationship qualities and behaviors and what they would expect or want in a relationship.
When a news stories about sexual assault comes on, ask your child if they have heard about this topic before and how it made them feel. You can then reinforce with your child that no one should touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable and they should not touch other people in a way that would make them uncomfortable. Remind your child that they can come to you if they have questions about this or if something happens that makes them feel uncomfortable.
When you want to hug or kiss your child, getting your child’s permission first is a great way to demonstrate consent. If this is not something you have done in the past, you can explain why you are asking for their consent and begin the discussion about why it is important to gain consent—especially in sexual situations.
Related Resources
Educators
All people have different types of bodies and abilities, even young people, this is what makes us all unique-there is no such thing as a ‘perfect body’! Some young people have different abilities-sometimes called disabilities or ‘differently-abled’-but really, it just means a unique way of living and experiencing the world. Around the globe, people talk about bodies and abilities differently. In some situations, young people might not share that they have a disability. In other situations, young people may introduce themselves with their disability identity first. No matter how young people communicate about their bodies and abilities, it is important to respect their choices and speak to them, and about them, in the ways they feel most affirmed and respected.
There are many ways young people with disabilities experience the world; some young people move around in wheelchairs, others communicate with sign language or computers. Some parents and other trusted adults help their young person with daily tasks like making decisions, going to the bathroom, or coping with feelings. It’s important to remember that young people with a disability, however they identify, have the same rights, feelings, and wants as everyone else. This includes the desire to be in relationships and explore sexual and romantic feelings.
If a young person is disabled, they probably have some of the same feelings about their body as their friends, like sexual or romantic feelings towards others. They also might have questions regarding how their body is changing during puberty, and have questions about their body. Whatever they are feeling, assure them that it is natural and healthy, and they have the same human rights to these feelings, the information, and the services as their friends and classmates. This includes choosing to be or not be in relationships with others, making decisions about how they will care for their body when they go through puberty or menstruation, communicating when and how people can touch them, and making decisions about birth control and pregnancy.
Sometimes they might need help caring for their body, they might need a trusted adult’s help to move, communicate, go to the bathroom, get dressed, or eat. If anyone touches their body without their permission, in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, hurts them physically or emotionally, or pressures them to participate in sexual activity, ensure that they tell a trusted adult immediately. If a trusted adult has hurt them, a young person may need help, feel confused, or need someone to talk to, locate resources in your community for people with disabilities or ask an ally for support.
National Sex Ed Standards
Demonstrate ways to treat all people with dignity and respect (e.g., race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, differing abilities, immigration status, family configuration)
Identify factors (e.g., body image, self-esteem, alcohol and other substances) that can affect the ability to give or perceive consent to sexual activity
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
Discussion Questions
- What are some things that all people want in a relationship regardless of their ability?
- What are some challenges a person with a disability may be more likely to face?
- What are some ways a person with a disability could overcome those challenges?
- Why would it be important for people—regardless of their ability—to learn about sex and sexual health?