My dissertation is an exploration of the experiences of people with disabilities in devices and applications aimed at sexual well-being and pleasure. This project aims to critically explore how sexual wellness and pleasure technologies are designed, accessed, and experienced by people with disabilities. It seeks to go beyond technical concerns and examine the socio-cultural and ethical issues that have been shaped by the stigma, power imbalances, and able-bodied assumptions present in society and, consequently, the design and HCI practices used in development.
Date:
October 16, 2025
Topic:
UX Research
Built in:
Various
Project Aims & Objectives
Project Aim:
Critically explore how sexual wellness/pleasure techs are designed, accessed, and experienced by people with disabilities. Identify barriers, opportunities, and recommendations for more inclusive development.
Project Objectives:
Conduct a literature review of existing academic sources on disability, sexuality and sextech within HCI and related fields. Use this review to establish existing knowledge and identify key gaps.
Map existing sexual wellness and pleasure technologies paying special attention to accessibility features and how the presence or absence of those features may affect users with disabilities. Revisit or address any technologies referenced by participants during the interview phase.
Conduct flexible, structured interviews with people with disabilities to explore their experiences, perceptions, and use of sextech.
Critically analyse the barriers that limit access to and enjoyment of sextech for people with disabilities. This includes any technical, social, cultural, and structural barriers that may exist.
Identify best practices and inclusive design principles through the lens of social justice, universal design, and sextech innovation to support more accessible development.
Develop clear and actionable recommendations for inclusive and accessible sexual well ness technology, highlighting implications for designers, policymakers, and advocacy groups.