Disabled Individuals

Paper Summary:

This study focuses on the disabled individuals and the public perceptions and opinions that prevent disabled individuals from the basic human right of sexual expression. It is denying people with emotional and physical needs the right to experience intimacy, and to share those experiences with others. Using the existing body of work and studies on sexuality and disabled individuals, this study helps to bring about changes in perception and opinions that create barriers, which prevent disabled people from having fulfilling and complete shared experiences and relationships with others. The paper demonstrates that sexual expression is a basic human right to which disabled people are entitled to experience.

Outline:
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review
Disabled People and Non-Disabled People: Perceptions in Retrospect
Sexual Expression and Mental Retardation
Acquired Disabilities and Sexual Expression
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Even though the disabled person was being used to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS, at the same time the media message was that it was becoming less of a problem, which is not accurate. However, it was important to use the image of a healthy looking afflicted person in order not to offend the healthy viewers, and to convey the message in a way that did not unsettle the viewer's level of comfort with the images and message."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alexander, C. J., Sipski, M. L., & Findley, T. W. (1993). Sexual Activities, Desire and Satisfaction in Males Pre- and Post-Spinal Cord Injury. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 22(3), 217+. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5000192475
• Butler, R. & Parr, H. (Eds.). (1999). Mind and Body Spaces: Geographies of Illness, Impairment, and Disability. London: Routledge. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108197845
• Chavkin, W. & Chesler, E. (Eds.). (2005). Where Human Rights Begin: Health, Sexuality, and Women in the New Millennium. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=111970390
• Farrah, A. G., & Elkins, Z. (1994, July/August). Racing toward a New Disability Strategy. Americas (English Edition), 46, 56+. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001663280
• Fine, M., & Asch, A. (1988). Epilogue: Research and Politics to Come. In Women with Disabilities: Essays in Psychology, Culture, and Politics, Fine, M. & Asch, A. (Eds.) (pp. 333-335). Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=55027990(2000). Handbook of Communication and People with Disabilities: Research and Application (D. O. Braithwaite & T. L. Thompson, Ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28054019

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