Dating in the Digital Age: The Experiences of Adults with Disabilities when Navigating Digital Sexual Fields

Summary

Access to quality and accessible sex education is often denied to people with disabilities. This creates fewer chances to gain knowledge on their gender and sexual diversity. Such information is important for developing the tools to speak about their identities, desires, and rights. The sexualities of people with disabilities also remains an under-discussed topic. This silence can end up harming the health and wellbeing of this growing population. Staff and caregivers may also feel uncomfortable or unprepared to support people with disabilities in their sexual needs. These attitudes can then hinder safe disclosure of sexual or gender expressions.

Participation in this study includes:
- completing a demographic questionnaire
- participating in an hour long online individual interview either via zoom or phone call
- discussing experiences with online dating

The study is exploring:
- How individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities experience online dating and how do these experiences impact their intimate lives.

This study will be important to:
- individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
- families of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
- agencies that provide human services
- educators
- and the broader community.

This study will offer guidance about improving training and programming on sexuality for:
- individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
- their families
- the agencies and workers who serve them.

This study will help raise awareness among parents and care workers helping people with disabilities. First, by helping them to understand that they have sexual desires. Second, by helping them make decisions based on their understanding of the world.