Many health and social care professionals today feel untrained, fearful and ill-equipped to support their disabled patients, clients and service users in their sexual lives. The result is that disabled people can be left feeling frustrated and afraid that their sexual needs will be forever unrecognised and unmet.

This is a straight-talking guide to supporting disabled people with their sexual lives. It covers the range of difficulties disabled people experience, from physical limitations to problems such as lack of acceptance, knowledge and skills. The real difficulties professionals experience are also covered with positive suggestions, and a chapter on communication discusses how to discuss sex. Sections follow on the sexual services available to help, and the wide range of sexual diversities which disabled people can and do enjoy. A chapter by Claire de Than covers the law.

This clear, down-to-earth guide will be essential reading for all those working with or supporting disabled people, from care home workers and managers to social workers, medical staff and therapists.

A straight-talking guide to helping disabled people fulfil their sexual lives, covering sexual needs, difficulties disabled people experience and communication

About the Author
Tuppy Owens is the founder of Outsiders, a club providing peer support and dating opportunities for physically and socially disabled people. She also handles the Sex and Disability Helpline, and set up the Sexual Health and Disability Alliance (SHADA) for health and social care professionals. Tuppy has a Diploma in Human Sexuality, and has worked with and supported disabled people with their sexual lives for over 35 years. She has been recognised by the Family Planning Association as one of the top achievers who has contributed to the sexual health of the UK.

Reviews
People with disabilities have, too often, been denied sexual happiness and expression. Although attitudes are slowly changing, there is a long way to go. Tuppy's helpful anecdotes and lack of jargon make for an inspiring read which will give practitioners the confidence to discuss sex with their disabled clients. -- Helen Dunham, PSHE SEN Teacher and Shada Member
Tuppy deserves national recognition for decades of challenging our collective neglect of the emotional, social and sexual needs of people with impairments. In the face of media, fashion and beauty industry promotion of perfect bodies, which cruelly makes disabled people 'outsiders', Tuppy has tirelessly campaigned and developed resources for the hundreds of thousands of UK people whose needs for friendship, affection and sex we marginalize and ignore. -- Andy Beckingham, FFPH, Consultant in Public Health
Our sex lives have been censored, ignored and unsupported, and Tuppy suggests many simple, respectful and clever ways in which this can be turned around. I hope her insightful book can contribute to improve the sex lives of many previously isolated or sexually frustrated disabled people. -- Mat Fraser
This book is relevant to a broad range of professionals coming into contact with a broad range of disabled people. Whether physically, visually or hearing impaired, or with learning difficulties, deaf-blind or those with ME, social anxiety or Asperger's syndrome. This remarkable book will support all. -- Maria Oshodi, VI Artistic Director and CEO of Extant



Book Information
ISBN 9781849053969
Author Tuppy Owens
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 324g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 162mm * 13mm