Disability/Sexuality

Cultural sensibilities in Singapore might make it difficult to talk about sex, but it becomes almost taboo when it comes to the disabled. The disabled are often either seen as "asexual beings" or subjects of curiosity or ignorance.

Despite societal perception and understanding, different people with different disabilities present different strains of discussion:

• Sexuality education as a need tends to feature more when discussing individuals with cognitive impairments or intellectual and developmental disabilities, because they are at higher risk of displaying sexual behaviour that is misunderstood by others, or being the targets of sexual crime.
• In comparison, stigma and the lack of fulfillment of sexual desire might be a significant factor for individuals who are normatively cognate but who experience lack of access as a result of disability.
• Some disabilities, particularly those of the spinal cord, may lead to the individual facing issues with sexual performance. Men with spinal cord injuries may have difficulty achieving erection or ejaculation, while women may lack lubrication or be psychologically fearful of engaging in sex.
• Disabled people who acquired their impairment may face different issues compared to someone who was disabled through congenital impairment.
• Some disabled people may face minimal to no issues in comparison to others in society, such as an individual who is mildly hard-of-hearing but who uses a hearing aid.

Short-Term Outcomes(skills, knowledge, attitudes)		Mid-Term Outcomes(behaviours)		Long-Term Outcomes(impact)		Social Impact
Greater public consciousness of the varying sexual needs of persons with disabilities	→		→		→	Disabled people experience sexual quality of life on an equitable basis with others in society
Persons with disabilities have knowledge on appropriate sexual behaviour	→
Persons with disabilities have protection against sexual harassment and crime	→		→
		Disabled people can access medical assistance to resolve sexual problems

Click here to explore the Theory of Change.

Key Statistics and Figures	Key Gaps	Knowledge Gaps
	Current barriers in sexual development for disabled people include lack of knowledge ("no one taught me"), lack of skills, negative social attitudes towards discussing sex, limited opportunities for social interaction as well as others that are disability-specific.