Vision

We envision a society in which wherever there are research, education, services and policies regarding sexual health, and there is substantial recognition of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions. Wherever there are research, education, services and policies regarding persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions, there is substantial recognition of sexual health.

Mission

The mission of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health Disabilities Program is to be a catalyst and advocate for the development and implementation of research, education, services, and policies to address the sexual health needs of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions.

Goals

With regard to addressing the sexual health of persons with disabilities and persons with chronic conditions, the goals of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health Disabilities Program include:

• Forums: To convene supported forums for leaders in research, education, services, public policy, faith communities, media, and advocacy;
• Disparities: To address disparities in behavior, environment, and health-care access and quality that negatively affect sexual health outcomes;
• Research: To identify, support and encourage research regarding sexual health;
• Education: To aid educational leaders in the professions of health, social services, and religion in recognizing and addressing sexual health;
• Services: To assist leaders in developing services to support sexual health;
• Policy: To assist leaders in designing and improving policies for programs and institutions that recognize sexual health; and
• International: To promote international forums and to provide leadership.

Definitions:

• "persons with disabilities" means persons (youth and adults) with a physical or mental impairment, whatever its cause, that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a history or record of such an impairment, or a perception by others as having such an impairment, which may affect sexual health. "Major life activities" include seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for self and working. (This definition is consistent with the definition in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Persons with disabilities may also be persons with chronic conditions in certain circumstances.)
• "persons with chronic conditions" means persons (youth and adults) who experience prolonged, persistent or permanent impairment in one or more body systems. Diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, aging, obesity, glaucoma heart disease, and mental illness may all contribute to impairments that may affect sexual health. (Persons with chronic conditions may also be persons with disabilities within the Americans with Disabilities Act in certain circumstances.)
• "substantial recognition" means specific acknowledgment and identification consisting of focused attention and engagement on an explicit and substantial basis
• "sexual health" is the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication, and love; includes negotiation of safe, meaningful, and fulfilling relationships with families, friends, caretakers and romantic partners
• "program" means a plan of action or structure for services, activities or procedures with a specific purpose
• "research" includes scientific and sociological investigations
• "education" includes professional education and continuing education programs and curricula across disciplines
• "policy" is public programs of procedures at the international, national, state and local levels of government, as well as within private and corporate institutions and religious organizations