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Relationships, Love, & Sexuality
Just about everyone concurs that being in a healthy and satisfying relationship is one of the most valued and important aspects of life, yet this is often times not discussed with people with developmental disabilities. It is generally recognized that the topic of sexuality makes most people uncomfortable, however individuals with disabilities need accurate information. It is important to affirm that sexuality is natural and healthy for people with disabilities, and to provide support and accurate information so that individuals can make responsible interpersonal and sexual choices. People with disabilities need to be supported to better understand their sexuality and to incorporate this dimension of themselves into their lives as a whole. Resources Diverse City Press This website has a wide selection of books, videos, and manuals that suggest new ways of dealing with the social aspects of daily, or intimate, interaction with people with developmental disabilities. Problems are discussed clearly, and the materials offer both information and solutions. Diverse City Press Inc. produces and distributes inspiring and informational materials dealing with people with developmental disabilities and a range of social issues, particularly sexuality. Here are some of the materials:
The Arc of the United States Phone: (817) 261-6003 E-mail: thearc@metronet.com The Arc is a national organization on mental retardation with state and local chapters throughout the United States. Several sexuality-related publications are available from The Arc including The Sexuality Policy and Procedure Manual Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) is a research center that focuses on issues related to health, aging, civil rights, abuse, and independent living. CROWD's purpose is to promote, develop, and disseminate information to expand the life choices of women with disabilities so that they may fully participate in community life. More specifically, researchers develop and evaluate models for interventions to address specific problems effecting women with disabilities. dateable was founded in 1987 to combat the isolation and social discrimination often experienced by people with disabilities. Through a computerized matching system, dateable International members are introduced on the basis of similar traits and common goals. National Clearinghouse on Women and Girls with Disabilities c/o Educational Equity Concepts Inc. Phone: (212) 725-1803 e-mail: 75507.1306@compuserve This clearinghouse provides a catalog of their many manuals, teen supplements, videos, and directories, many of which deal with sexuality issues faced by women and girls with disabilities. Most items have a charge. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) Phone: 1-800-695-0285 (Voice/TT) NICHCY is a national information clearinghouse with children and youth (birth to age 22) with disabilities as the special focus. Sexuality Education for Children and Youth with Disabilities (1992) was published for parents and professionals as part of their News Digest series. This publication deals with education related to the social-sexual development of youth with disabilities. National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 1-800-34N-ARIC (1-800-346-2742) e-mail: naric@capaccess.org Serving as a national disability and rehabilitation information center, this organization maintains REHABDATA, a bibliographic database of rehabilitation, disability, and assistive technology literature. Searchable through NARIC's Web site, the database includes numerous sexuality-related entries. Some photocopies of articles are also available to individuals on a cost recovery basis. PACER Center Phone: (612) 827-2966 (Voice/TTY) This Minnesota-based parent-to-parent organization has published numerous items of interest to families of children with disabilities. One of the most recent, I'm a Beautiful Person: A Video for Parents and Youth with Disabilities, includes teens and young adults with disabilities discussing sexuality. Personal Space Curriculum The Arc of Maryland, in partnership with The Arc of Southern Maryland and The Arc of the United States, developed an 8-12 class gender violence prevention curriculum for women and adolescent girls with developmental disabilities. The goal of the curriculum/program is to decrease the risk of violent occurrences experienced by participants following the program. The curriculum can be downloaded from this site. Planned Parenthood Federation of America Phone: 212-541-7800 1-800-230-7526 (for referral to local office) Planned Parenthood Federation of America serves as a clearinghouse and library of over 20,000 items including curricula, pamphlets, books for professionals, and bibliographies. They also house several articles and an extensive reference collection regarding sexuality issues for people with disabilities. The Planned Parenthood program is available to individuals at the national and local level via the Planned Parenthood offices in each town. The organization recommends starting at the local level and then contacting the Planned Parenthood Federation of America if you need additional information. Most library services are free or have a minimal charge. Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) Phone: (212) 819-9770 e-mail: siecus@siecus.org This organization has materials including journals, over 5000 titles, 100 newsletters, 500 curriculum examples, and an extensive file of miscellaneous brochures, papers, etc. All materials deal with sexuality issues and are categorized by age groups and/or specific topic areas such as prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Some items are specifically geared towards people with cognitive disabilities. Although the collection is non-circulating, SIECUS members can visit the library by appointment to view materials. Patrons who are not SIECUS members can receive copies of bibliography lists generated by the library. People interested in becoming SIECUS members should contact the organization for more information. Sexual Health Network, to provide counseling, publications and seminars, with a special focus on sexuality and physical disability. This is a very open and in-depth site, which contains a wealth of information. The Southwest Region Social/Sexual Resource Network (SRSSRN) Phone: (202) 364-5303 Sexuality Education For Persons With Developmental Disabilities This site has, amongst other items, a listing of resources that have worked for some sex educators, parents, and staff. The resources are practical and affordable. Most companies have 800 numbers for purchasing information. 
Publications
Affection, Love, Intimacy, and Sexual Relationships, Jurkowski, E. & Amado, A. In: Friendships and Community Connections Between People With and Without Developmental Disabilities. Amado, A. (Ed.) (1993). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes, pp. 129-151. Available through Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., P.O. Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285- 0624; tel.: (800) 638-3775. Couples With Intellectual Disabilities Talk about Living and Loving, Schwier, K. (1994). Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. Available through Woodbine House, 6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817; tel.: (800) 843-7323. Sexuality and Down Syndrome by Dr. William Schwab Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine and Practice University of Wisconsin. Clicking this heading will take you to the National Down Syndrome Society's home page. Type "sexuality" in the search button on their site to access this article. Sexuality Education for Children and Youth with Disabilities, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, News Digest, Vol. 1, Number 3 (1992). Washington, DC: NICHCY. Available through NICHCY, P.O. Box 1492, Washington, DC 20013-1492; tel.: (800) 695-0285. |
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