Policies
Make policies to support relationship, sexual and reproductive health
Policies and procedures can help to create environments that support the relationship, sexual and reproductive rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Leadership can reinforce the importance of these policies by providing regular training.
Policies and procedures that support both staff and clients:
- Are clear, consistent and communicated across organizations and systems
- Are explicitly supported by organizational leadership
- Explain to both clients and staff that staff are expected to support the relationship, sexual and reproductive rights of the people they work with
- Provide guidance to staff on how to support the relationship, sexual and reproductive rights of the people they work with, including by providing sexual health education
- Help members of peoples' support teams explore and define their roles in providing sexual health education and support
A Sexuality Policy That Truly Supports People with Disabilities is an Impact Newsletter from the University of Minnesota that outlines some of the key elements of a social/sexual policy.
NCRI’s Policy Recommendations to promote healthy social and emotional relationships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities addresses a range of topics related to supporting people with developmental disabilities in experiencing healthy relationships they choose.
