Working with people with disabilities
SHine SA believes that people with disabilities have the right to:
- experience satisfying and safe relationships
- explore and express their sexuality
- have control over decisions which affect their sexual health, with support where required
Parents, carers and workers are usually responsible for the relationships and sexual health education of people with a disability. SHine SA provides a range of services and training to support them in this role.
All services for clients are confidential.
Consultancy
Consultancy support for parents, carers and workers of people with a disability can include:
- helping to problem-solve sexual health issues
- identifying and recommending basic intervention strategies
- discussing, reviewing and suggesting a range of relevant resources
- assisting in the planning of education programs, and co-facilitating in some cases
- debriefing workers about their work with a person with a disability
- providing sexual health information
Often it may be easier for people to discuss sexuality and sexual health issues with a worker that they do not know. It can be less embarrassing and uncomfortable.
Consultancy support should be in partnership with the significant person(s) involved in the care of the person with a disability. This may entail reinforcing agreed strategies, gaining information, negotiating privacy issues, and/or maintaining a consistent message to the person with a disability.
It is important that the client understands and agrees to any referral to SHine SA.
Group education programs
SHine SA can develop, co-facilitate or deliver a sexual health program to people with a disability who have similar learning needs.
SHine SA also has a strong commitment to building the capacity of workers and can provide education programs for a group of workers from an organisation in the sector. We encourage organisations to work in partnership with SHine SA. This strategy helps them develop an organisational culture that recognises the need to be inclusive of sexuality, as well as having skilled staff to address sexual health issues. Having informed workers in these areas will provide good support to people with a disability.
Individual education programs
Individual programs are available to meet specific needs of people with a disability. We encourage a partnership approach which invites parents, carers and/or workers to be involved so that new knowledge can be reinforced in the home and work environment. Topics can include puberty, menstrual management, masturbation, relationships, sexual behaviour, sexual responsibility, sexual touching, contraception, or protective behaviours.
Clinical services
SHine SA provides accessible sexual health services for people with a disability. For clients with a physical disability, a number of clinics have adjustable beds so that clients can be easily transferred from a wheelchair to an examination bed.
SHine SA will also try to accommodate any special needs, such as allergies, reactions to perfume, detergents or lighting etc. but needs prior warning in order to prepare for the appointment.
It may be necessary to ask for a longer appointment time, particularly for new clients. It would also be useful to have past medical, reproductive and contraceptive history available at the time of the first appointment.
An education program may be more appropriate than a clinical service. Before making an appointment at a SHine SA clinic, contact a SHine SA nurse in a Primary Health Care Team to discuss the issues.
Therapeutic counselling
SHine SA offers a therapeutic counselling service, provided by professional sexual health counsellors. The service is available to people with a disability and their families. They can come in to see us on their own, with their partner or a support person. It is up to them. Rural clients can phone to arrange for a telephone counselling appointment.
Counselling is provided for any concerns related to sexual health for men and women. These include sexual identity concerns, different level of sexual desire, sexual issues related to disability and sexual issues arising from sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
Information and resources
Friendships and dating booklet: Information about relationships for parents, carers and young people with a disability.
Friendships and dating DVD: The DVD can be used with the Friendships and dating booklet. To purchase please complete the SHine SA training resources order form.
Puberty information for parents of boys with a disability
Puberty information for parents of girls with a disability
A range of books and DVDs on sexual health and relationships for people with disabilities is available from the SHine SA Library.
SHine SA produces a range of resources including leaflets, booklets, fact sheets, manuals and posters. To view and order these resources see the SHine SA resources section.