Historically, individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been excluded from reproductive health education programs for a variety of reasons. There is a misconception that individuals with ID are not sexual and a fear that education on sex and healthy relationships will lead to increased sexual behavior or inappropriate behavior among those with ID. Additionally, there is a perception that individuals with ID are “perpetual children” and lack any type of sexual desire (Ramage, 2015). Other barriers to effective sexual education for individuals with disabilities exist, including the lack of educator training as well as materials suitable for meeting the needs of students with disabilities. This results in a lack of knowledge and understanding about sexuality (Alexander & Taylor, 2017). Research has shown, however, that this lack of reproductive health education can lead to several negative health outcomes for those with intellectual disabilities, including lack of knowledge on healthy relationships, increased risk of victimization and an increased risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Ramage, 2015)
In response, SOAZ, in collaboration with a team of inclusive health professionals, parents, and athletes, developed Healthy Relationships, an inclusive health program focused on educating and advocating for people with disabilities to be able to experience safe, healthy, and positive relationships both with themselves and their community.
The program continues to offer:
As of Fall 2025, there have been over 600 participants of Healthy Relationships programs as well as over 70 facilitators trained to facilitate the “Understanding Me” Healthy Relationships curriculum.
At the end of 2019, we made a breakthrough and identified the partner, Affirm, who was able and enthusiastically willing to support the Healthy Relationships initiative. Affirm, a private, not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to making reproductive healthcare and education available and accessible to all women, men, and teens in Arizona, regardless of access to health insurance or money to cover costs.
SOAZ has been granted Title X funding through Affirm for the last several years to develop and implement a multi-phase strategic plan to ensure our athletes and partners have access to the resources and services imperative to live their healthiest lives.
This strategic plan includes training for providers, staff, coaches, and teachers. Training sessions are designed to start conversations and to help ensure that those supporting individuals with ID have the skills and education to appropriately respond to questions, concerns, or thoughts and can connect these individuals to the appropriate services. Additionally, the strategic plan includes the creation and dissemination of athlete sexual health education resources.
In 2020, SOAZ formed a committee to explore and develop opportunities for education, advocacy, and support related to sex education and healthy relationships. The committee included educators, clinical professionals, SOAZ staff, athletes and family members working together towards a common goal of promoting healthy relationships and sexual education for all. The committee held training sessions for clinical staff, community providers, parents, and educators on healthy relationships topics. The committee also developed a Healthy Relationships curriculum titled “Understanding Me: The Athlete’s Guide to Navigating Healthy Relationships, “ which has since been piloted and implemented in various settings across Arizona.
Director, Health and Education
This publication is supported by the Office of Population Affairs (OPA), in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $6.1 million with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit opa.hhs.gov