ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how young people with disabilities may be excluded from sexual health education. It explores barriers that may exist, using as an illustrative example the challenges to understanding that arise in delivering sex education to people with learning disabilities. The chapter looks at access to education generally for people with disabilities, as this is a wide-ranging and fundamental barrier. It focuses on access to sex education, particularly within schools, and mostly with reference to learning disabilities. The chapter looks at some of the challenges involved for educators. In terms of health, some key aims are to teach people about sexually transmitted diseases, what sexual practices are safe, and about contraception and reproduction. Many teachers and carers may feel inadequately trained, lack confidence and feel uncertain about their skills and ability to deliver sexual education to persons with disabilities.
