Physical Disability and Sexuality, Some History and Some Findings

In this chapter, we will explore some of the myths and misconceptions that exist about the sexual lives of people with physical disabilities. We look particularly at the myth of asexuality and we report on data from the survey study showing whether this myth exists in the views of South Africans without disability, about people with physical disabilities. We also look at the kinds of stereotypes about people with physical disabilities that survey respondents used. The chapter then looks at how this myth of asexuality among people with physical disabilities means that many young people with physical disabilities are excluded from sexual health education, may be vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, and generally feel excluded from the world of dating and relationships. We draw on existing research knowledge, our survey findings, as well as the pictures and personal stories of participants in our research project in this chapter.