"They Say Sex Isn't for Me": Social Justice Means Students With Disabilities Accessing Sexuality Education

• In Event: 16.057 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 16.057-6 - Critical Education and the Intersections of Class and Disability

Abstract

Students with disabilities are faced with ableist assumptions regarding sexuality, typically being constructed as asexual and childlike. They are denied the right to establish relationships and to decide whether, when and with whom to have a family. When sexuality is discussed, the discourse is one of protection against violence. This study represents the narratives of four adolescent girls with disabilities and their experiences with sexuality. We will share two major findings. First, the participants experienced a spectrum of dis/comfort with sexuality and physical intimacy. Second, all the participants experienced violence in either the form of physical aggression, monitoring and policing, or denial of access to sexuality education. Implications will focus on the development of a universally designed, comprehensive sexuality curriculum.

Authors

• Danielle M. Cowley, University of Northern Iowa

• Alexis Marguerite Gebb, San Francisco Unified School District

• Sadie Guthrie, San Francisco Unified School District