SHADE: Sexual Health & Disability Education
SHADE (Sexual Health and Disability Education) is more than just sex education: it is a service that teaches abuse prevention skills and empowers individuals with disabilities to live lives enriched by positive relationships. In SHADE, participants learn about topics such as boundaries and consent, online safety, healthy relationships, reproductive anatomy, and safer decision making. SHADE offers group classes and workshops as well as individualized 1-on-1 education for people with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.
Our SHADE Services
Group Classes
SHADE partners with schools, day programs, and disability service providers to offer FREE education classes. SHADE group classes teach skills in a fun, interactive, and social setting. Participants will learn through discussion, hands-on activities, games, role-play, and visual aids. SHADE groups typically meet once per week for 15 weeks, although groups can be modified to best suit participant needs.
One-on-One Education
Individual SHADE sessions provide an opportunity for participants to learn and practice skills in a one-on-one setting. These sessions are best-suited for participants with a specific, individualized concern related to sexual health, safety, and/or behavior.
Community Workshops
SHADE offers training and workshops to families, support staff, teachers, clinicians, emergency responders, and other disability service providers. Past topics include:
Supporting healthy sexuality for people with disabilities
Understanding and responding to problematic sexual behavior
Promoting professional boundaries at work
And more!
Get in touch and let us know how we can support you.
Eligibility
SHADE services are FREE for eligible participants thanks to the generous support of PLB and DDR. Eligible participants must:
Live in St. Louis County or St. Louis City
Have a qualifying cognitive and/or developmental disability. Proof of diagnosis or an active IEP may be required.
Individuals who do not meet our eligibility requirements may inquire about private pay options.
SHADE Curriculum
Evidence suggests that individuals who receive comprehensive sex education are less likely to be victims of abuse and are more likely to recognize and report abuse if/when it does occur. Our curriculum is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, their boundaries, and their relationships.
A typical SHADE group addresses the following topics, although our curriculum can be modified to best suit participants’ needs:
Feelings
Boundaries and consent
Public and private
Social circles
Online safety
Friendship
Dating
Healthy and unhealthy relationships
Reproductive anatomy and hygiene
Sexual feelings and behaviors
Pregnancy and birth control
STIs and safer sex
Making informed decisions
Our curriculum is designed with people with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities in mind, and we take care to ensure that our materials are accessible and developmentally appropriate for participants. If you have further questions about our curriculum or if you would like to view any of our teaching materials, please don’t hesitate to contact us.