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Disability & Sexuality
SHINE SA believes that people living with a disability have the right to:
- explore and express their gender and sexuality
- have relationships based on consent, respect and safety
- learn lessons from life’s experience, with support where required
- control decisions which affect their sexual health and relationships.
The key to building sexual health with people living with a disability is to communicate openly about rights and responsibilities in relation to private body parts, sexual feelings and behaviours, healthy relationships, respect for boundaries, diversity and the law.
For further reading about aspects of sexual health and disability see Sexual health and people living with a disability.
SHINE SA strives to improve access to sexual health and healthy relationships for people living with a disability by building capacity in professionals, support workers and next-of-kin.
A range of SHINE SA’s services relevant for people with a disability and their allies are listed below.
Case consultancy and referral
People seeking support around specific sexuality and disability case issues can expect to be listened to and to receive:
- support in exploring the matter
- information and suggestions on basic interventions
- referral to private, government or non-government services
- suggestions about specific resources, books and training modules to assist the caller to do their work.
Clinical services
SHINE SA aims to provide access to clinical sexual health services for anyone with a disability. Services offered include:
- contraception services, pregnancy testing, counselling and referral
- information on safer sex and sexuality
- STI testing, management and referral
- sexual health issues.
SHINE SA clinics are not suitable for ongoing individual education sessions.
When making appointments, please provide all information about any special needs.
Only some clinics have adjustable examination beds. SHINE SA has a ‘no lifting’ policy for its staff, so if the client needs assistance transferring to an examination bed, they will need to be accompanied by people who can do this.
Books and resources
SHINE SA’s Library & Resource Centre has a specialist collection of books, videos, kits and multi-sensory teaching resources which can be used to communicate effectively about a range of sexual and relationship topics.
The South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability (SACID) have a range of resources on relationships, sexuality and disability.
SECCA supports people with disability to learn about relationships, sexuality and sexual health. They have a range of resources available on their website.
Fees
Visit our Find a Clinic page for more information on fees.