ABSTRACT
This chapter presents work in progress, and marks an early attempt to map out some key issues in the sexual politics of disability and to rectify the omissions in accounts of disabled people’s experience. Disabled people themselves often reported serious problems with self-image, having been socialised to think of themselves as asexual or unattractive. Cultural representations of disabled people in, for example, film and television are a major contributing factor to the negativity surrounding disabled people’s sexuality. Policy and provision around disability often neglects to consider sexuality as one of the basic human needs. While housing, transport, education and other needs are dealt with, albeit inadequately, consideration of social and sexual factors is not high on the welfare agenda. Disabled people may face barriers in their leisure and social lives, which can be a major obstacle to accessing the environments where non-disabled people make contacts which lead to sexual encounters or romantic relationships.
