This document discusses several issues faced by people with disabilities in relation to their sexuality. First, their sexual expression is often seen as inappropriate due to beliefs about passing on cognitive limitations or an inability to handle sexuality responsibly as adults. Second, they are frequently treated like children without consideration for their desires. Finally, people with disabilities often struggle to develop a sexual identity and find partners or learn about sexuality safely due to low knowledge and barriers like abuse, making responsible sexual behavior difficult.

1. RESPOND TO Q&A Several studies have explored the issues that
RESPOND TO Q&ASeveral studies have explored the issues that people with disabilities
face in relation to sexuality, with most of them emerging from other people’s attitudes
towards their sexual behavior. One of the major issues is connected to the world’s perceived
inappropriateness of sexual expression by individuals struggling with developmental
delays, which results in involuntary sterilization. This is based on the belief that
developmentally disabled individuals would pass their cognitive limitations to their
offspring (Di Giulio, 2003). Secondly, they are constantly infantilized, based on the belief
that they lack the capacity to express their sexuality responsibly because they are
considered children with adult sexual urges they cannot handle appropriately (Di Giulio,
2003). Lastly, people with developmental disabilities often struggle to develop a sexual
identity, function, desire, confidence, or find a partner. They, therefore, lack the appropriate
channels to express their sexuality and develop inhibited sexual self-image. One of the
major barriers to sexual health in this population is that they do not have enough
opportunities to learn about sexuality, resulting in a demographic exhibiting low levels of
knowledge about sexuality, and with less experience on sexual interaction, intimacy, or
dating (Di Giulio, 2003). They are, therefore, more likely to engage in reckless sexual
behavior that adversely affects their sexual health. Another barrier is their increased
vulnerability to sexual abuse or harassment, with several studies reporting that nearly 80%
of women with developmental disabilities report being sexually assaulted in their lifetimes
(Murphy & Young, 2005). Moreover, children with disabilities are more than twice as likely
to be sexually assaulted than those without (Murphy & Young, 2005). Third, the overall
societal attitudes about people with developmental disabilities, including the belief that
they are not developmentally equipped to engage in responsible sexual behaviors, is a
major barrier to their sexual health; specifically, their respect, safety, and freedom from
sexual discrimination and violence.