Selling Sex...Ed: Bringing Sexuality and Relationship Education to Inclusive Higher Education

Abstract

Sexuality and relationship education (SRE) is critical to ensure safety and promote self-determination skills for students with intellectual disability (ID). SRE topics and skills fall squarely within the aims of inclusive higher education because they allow for increased independence, social awareness to build friendships and romantic relationships, and situations that may arise in workplaces and other community settings. SRE prepares students for informed decision-making, provides basic information about health screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases, and teaches healthy relationship skills and can be provided at both private and public universities. Despite the clear need for this content, SRE is not currently required for inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs, increasing the risk for students and the universities where IPSEs are housed. We detail the process of implementing SRE programming at a university in the southeastern United States over the course of five years. We also provide persuasive arguments that programs may use to support any efforts to implement SRE within their own program.