The topic of sex makes many people uncomfortable and has been treated as being taboo for centuries. Compound that stigma with a disability or illness like spinal cord injury, stroke, limb loss, multiple sclerosis, chronic heart failure, or diabetes, and you many people feel left in the dark.

 

The sexABILITIES program, a subsidiary of National Council on Relationships and Disability (NCORAD),  is designed to address common questions and concerns about sexual health and disability. In an environment free of judgement and packed full of education, we train clinicians to empower clients to explore a fulfilling and healthy sexual and reproductive lifestyle. This program aims to normalize and rediscover intimacy as well as provide resources and education on appropriate tools and equipment to increase the frequency and satisfaction of sexual encounters for people with disabilities.

 

sexABILITIES is a multi-disciplinary team of recreational therapists, personal counselors, marriage and family therapists, and nurses who specialize in relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and sex for people with disabilities. Perhaps it is due to an insensitivity to the sexual needs of people with disabilities or a lack of understanding and expertise in this area; health care professionals tend to neglect these issues. However, disability, illness, or injury does not dehumanize a person; we all still have the same physical and emotional needs and desires. Therefore, it is essential for clients & couples with disabilities to have a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and comforting network to provide functional solutions to the issues they face.

 

sexABILITIES trains clinicians to offer clients a safe and welcoming environment to explore the challenges they face in relationships, intimacy, sexuality, and sex that may be compounded by disability, illness, or injury. Some issues we frequently address include but are not limited to: communication, emotional expression, and intimacy techniques (such as adaptive equipment and positioning). Disability, illness, and injury affect the entire human body, their loved ones, and caregivers, and have the potential to lead to emotional, psychosocial, and physical challenges. sexABILITIES utilizes various modalities and techniques in effort to assist clients to obtain healthy and fulfilling relationships and intimate lifestyles.