Disabled Australians should be able to access sex toys, dating support and sex workers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme if they require them to live a normal life, a coalition of disability advocates says.
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Four of Australia's major disability groups argue the NDIS needs a "sexuality policy" to cover a broad range of needs such as adaptive sex toys, services from sex workers and sex therapists - as well as education about sexuality and relationships.
But the National Disability Insurance Agency, which administers the NDIS, says the scheme does not cover sexual services or therapies as part of its assistance to disabled Australians.
The agency recently launched an appeal against a tribunal decision that granted a severely disabled women access to a sex therapist under her NDIS plan.
People with Disability Australia spokesperson Matthew Bowden said it was a "human need" for people to be able to express their sexuality and have fulfilling sexual experiences, urging the government to show a "compassionate approach to a private and sensitive issue".
In a new position statement, Disabled People's Organisations Australia says disabled people date, have casual partners, marry and enjoy loving relationships like others in the community.
"Historically, people with disability have been subjected to societal beliefs that we are either asexual or hypersexual, while constantly being denied full autonomy over our own bodies," says the alliance, which include organisations that represent women, Indigenous and multicultural Australians.
"While accessing services of a sex worker may not be for everyone, this option should not be denied or dismissed on the basis of disability, or the moral beliefs of third parties."
Disability advocates stress that access to sexuality supports - particularly sex workers - would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and involve significant disability. For example, this might include someone with severe cerebral palsy who could not reach their own genitals.
Saul Ibister, president of Touching Base, an organisation that has been helping disabled people access sex workers for 20 years, said sexual expression was part of an ordinary life.
"The community does not expect people with disability to live the life of a nun," he said.
In July, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal found the provision of a sex therapist was a "reasonable and necessary" support under the NDIS for a woman with multiple sclerosis.
The woman is in her 40s and was diagnosed with MS about 16 years ago. She finds it difficult to walk but has no loss of intellectual capacity.
The NDIA originally refused the woman's request for "sexual release" but the AAT found in her favour. The government almost immediately announced it would challenge that decision, and an appeal has been lodged with the Federal Court.
Sex therapists do not touch clients but focus on issues such as how to adapt sexual activity to a disability.
An NDIA spokesperson said: "The NDIS does not cover sexual services, sexual therapy or sex workers in a participant's NDIS plan.
"The NDIS can fund supports to enable [people] to participate in the activities they choose; however, the NDIS does not fund the private activity itself and does not generally fund the cost of private activities."
