Breaking Down Barriers

By Fran Odette

ISAAC Canada #24. April 2004

From our conversations with AAC users, we know that many experience the same barriers related to their sexual health as persons with disabilities who do not use AAC. However, people who use AAC have additional barriers. While some of these barriers relate to communication issues, many stem from society's misconceptions about the sexual lives of people living with disabilities.

One of the greatest barriers experienced by people living with disabilities, especially persons who are AAC, is the misinformation or lack of information that exists about the sexuality experiences of people with disabilities. Our lack of accurate information contributes to barriers, which occur both at the individual as well as at a systemic level. In doing work in the area of sexuality and disability, one of the first areas to address is the narrow and/or negative beliefs many people hold about what is considered 'appropriate' sexual behavior for people with disabilities. These myths create huge obstacles for people in accessing information and services related to sexuality, sexual health and abuse.

A prevalent myth is that people with disabilities are asexual and do not need to be bothered with sexual relationships. The effect of this myth is, if people with disabilities don't need to be 'bothered' with sexual relationships, then they don't need to have information about healthy sexuality, options related to birth control or reproduction, and what constitutes a healthy relationship.

People with disabilities who do find themselves in relationships or are thinking about entering into a relationship are often seen by others as needing to be protected. AAC users come to the arena of relationships and sexuality from various life experiences and may experience increased vulnerability because of lack of exposure about what constitutes healthy versus unhealthy relationships, along with setting boundaries in relationships, etc.

This need to protect stems from the belief that people with disabilities are 'child-like' and are not able to make responsible decisions about their options and their choices. Within this belief of people needing to be protected is the notion that if we give people information about sex, then they'll want it, therefore, we need to protect AAC users from themselves!

While Speak Up recognizes the need for safeguards to be in place to reduce the risk for sexual abuse and exploitation, AAC users tell us that they are often denied the right to explore their personal sexual identity and it's expression. In addition to the denial of rights to healthy sexuality, the tendency to over protect may put AAC users at an increased risk for entering into relationships that may be abusive or exploitative.

Because of the prevalent myths that exist about the lack of rights to be sexual for people living with disabilities, especially for AAC users, oftentimes, negative opportunities are created where an individual may find her/himself engaging in unsafe situations or relationships. If one is surrounded by negative beliefs, there is an increased risk that one will internalize these beliefs as their own.

As a result, the risk for abuse and victimization increases when one does not believe they have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. It increases when one accepts abusive treatment because of having been led to believe that one should be grateful for whatever attention one gets. The risk for abuse increases when one undervalues one's own humanity and self worth therefore, allowing personal boundaries to be violated.

Some of the AAC users in the Speak Up project informed us that they had few experiences with relationships, and some had significantly limited social network of friends within their lives. Often, the people with whom an AAC user is connected with are paid caregivers/service providers.

Making friendships and maintaining relationships can be difficult at the best of times. However, for an AAC user who might experience increased levels of isolation, the challenges of meeting people can be compounded. Their communication challenges pose difficulties in striking up conversations with strangers or new people who are unfamiliar with the way they communicate. In addition, many social venues in the community may be physical inaccessible.

We have found that most community services for sexual health and counseling are not accessible for adults who use AAC systems. In extending services to AAC users, we all play a role in advocating and supporting agencies in knowing how to do this.

If we are to open the door to healthy sexuality and expression we need to look in many directions –at what we believe, what information is required, what supports are needed-and if we are to move forward we must first see what road blocks that currently exist on this route. Breaking down barriers has to happen at all levels to ensure that human dignities for everyone are protected.

   [Top]