Abstract

People with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) are sexual beings. However, some may be unable to consent to sexual acts in particular ways due to characteristics associated with their disability. An inability to consent in ways that are traditionally considered acceptable poses a challenge insofar as sexual consent is legally and morally significant. Additionally, as per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, people with disabilities, including IDD, have sexual rights. Given (1) the importance of consent, (2) limitations of some sexual consent models for people with IDD, and (3) the fact that people with IDD have sexual rights, it is important to reflect upon whether and what kinds of sexual consent models may be helpful for some people with IDD who may be unable to consent in traditional ways. The purpose of this chapter is to offer reflections and possible future directions so that people with IDD can engage in consensual sexual acts in a manner regarded as ethically licit.