Call to include sex work in NDIS bill

Helen Hunt and John Hawkes in a scene from The Sessions. Source: Supplied

HELEN Hunt might win an Oscar next week for the portrayal of a sex surrogate for a disabled man in the film The Sessions.

The film, by Australian director Ben Lewin, tells the real life story of the late Californian journalist Mark O'Brian, who spent most of his life in an iron lung as a result of childhood polio, and his experiences with a sex surrogate.

But back in Australia, the issue of sex and disabilities has been raised in a parliamentary inquiry into draft legislation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

A Canberra man with cerebral palsy wants the services of sex workers to be considered a legitimate need for people with disabilities in the NDIS bill.

David Heckendorf and his wife both have cerebral palsy and are profoundly disabled.

They have wheelchairs and rely on carers to visit their home each day to feed, dress and shower them.

The condition affects their movement, muscle control and speech.

In his submission to the inquiry, Mr Heckendorf pointed to the aim of the scheme, which is about people with disabilities being able to "realise their potential for physical, social, emotional and intellectual development".

"For many of us with profound physical disabilities we need assistance with sexual release and sexual expression," he said.

"We do not all have able-bodied sexual partners who can, or are willing, to assist us to have sex release."

Mr Heckendorf said it was "most often inappropriate to ask a support worker, friend or family member because of the social implications".

He calls for the bill to address the emotional needs of disabled people, which includes their sex life.

"In jurisdictions where sex work ie. prostitution is legal, the bill should explicitly state that, subject to this need being identified in the participant's plan, it should be given the legislative status of a legitimate care need," Mr Heckendorf wrote.

In Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, sexual assistants for people with disabilities have legal status.

James Cook University occupational therapy expert Matthew Yau said in some of those western European countries people with a disability could access taxpayer-funded sex assistants once a month.

Professor Yau hoped Australian policymakers could be as open minded and address the sexual needs of disabled people in the NDIS.

"For severely disabled people the chance of getting a partner and falling in love ... can be very limited," he told AAP.

"Sex is a need, just like food or air or shelter."

Prof Yau, who is also a qualified sex therapist, recently had a client his 30s who was paralysed from a spinal cord injury he suffered as a child.

The man was becoming quite angry and frustrated.

He had to grapple with his religious beliefs and associated guilt before deciding to see a sex worker.

"It's about confirming that they're a human being like everyone else," Prof Yau said.

Able-bodied taxpayers who were uncomfortable with the idea of funding sex services should remember that they at least have the choice to engage in sexual activity if they wish, Prof Yau said.

The Senate Community Affairs committee's report on the NDIS is due on March 13.

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