Adult Lifestyle Sex & Disabled – Wheelchair Accessible Adult Shop
Wheelchair Accessible Adult Shop – The majority of adult shops in Australia are located on a second floor or basement premises. Meaning that before they’ve even opened their doors of a morning they’re restricting access to able bodied individuals.
This is partly due to local government regulations which prohibits minors having easy access to the adult store. As such, locations of adult stores that don’t have stairs and are wheelchair accessible are few and far between. Or alternatively require great distances to travel to get to them.
Wheelchair Accessible Adult Shop
At Adult Lifestyle Centre Kogarah we know that if a person is not able bodied then they can still enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active sexual life.
Our Kogarah location is one of the few in NSW, Australia that is located on the street level with no barriers of entry. And still located within the area of a capital city, Sydney. Patrons who require the use of a mobility device do not need assistance to enter the location. Store has been set up with wide aisle, to assist with the ease of navigation throughout the store.
Kogarah also has a wide access driveway to facilitate ease of entry for a mobility impaired client.
Touching Base
At Kogarah, and indeed all Adult Lifestyle Centres, we believe in the philosophies of Touching Base Inc. Touching Base is a charitable organisation, based in Sydney NSW Australia. It was developed out of the need to assist people with disability by providing access to sex workers in order for them to connect with each other.
Using their own words they ‘focus on access, discrimination, human rights and legal issues and the attitudinal barriers that these two marginalised communities can face’.
All Inclusive
Members of our community, unless you identify as young, white cisgender and heteronormative, still receive stigmas and stereotypes that list them as asexual and a hindrance.
This list includes those of diverse sexuality, mature gay men and lesbians. People with physical and mental disabilities and even interracial and intergenerational couples. At the end of the day, people that have a physical or intellectual disability still lead active fulfilling lives. While having the same sexual urges and desires as everyone else.
They do not let their disability hinder them
But in some regards the majority of society still have a negative view when it comes to the sex and sexuality of the disabled.
People with physical or intellectual disabilities in today’s society are often regarded as non-sexual adults. There, sadly, is a misconception that people with disabilities have no arousal. Since they have a disability they do not want to engage in sexual acts.
Through general society, their health care workers. And even in some parts their family they are often regarded as asexual. Due to the nature of their disability are often unable to find sexual fulfilment.
Sexual expression is a basic human function
It is not limited to those who are able bodied. Indeed that is one of the founding statement that has been made with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Sexual Wellness and Disability: Breaking Down Barriers
Recognizing Human Needs Beyond Stereotypes
People with disabilities deserve the same recognition as sexual beings as anyone else. Yet society often desexualizes them, creating harmful stereotypes that ignore their fundamental human needs for intimacy, pleasure, and connection. This marginalization stems not from reality but from outdated perceptions that fail to see the whole person beyond their disability.
“The most frustrating part is being infantilized,” explains Sarah, who uses a wheelchair due to spinal cord injury. “People assume I don’t have sexual desires or that my relationship is somehow ‘inspirational’ rather than normal and passionate. We’re just two adults who love each other.”
This dismissal of sexual identity creates unnecessary barriers to fulfillment and happiness. Research consistently confirms that sexual expression remains equally important to quality of life regardless of physical ability. Recognizing this reality represents the first step toward more inclusive approaches to sexual wellness.
Adaptive Solutions for Intimate Connection
Innovative Products Creating New Possibilities
Adaptive intimate products have revolutionized possibilities for people with various disabilities. Ergonomic designs with flexible positioning, extended handles for limited mobility, and remote-controlled features allow independent exploration that might otherwise be challenging.
Modern vibrators with intuitive controls benefit users with dexterity limitations, while positioning furniture supports comfortable alignment for those with mobility restrictions. Couples-focused products enable partners to maintain connection regardless of physical challenges.
“Finding the right tools completely transformed our intimate life,” shares Michael, whose partner has limited mobility from multiple sclerosis. “These products aren’t just about physical pleasure—they’ve helped us maintain our connection through difficult health changes.”
Professional Support and Resources
In progressive regions, occupational therapists increasingly incorporate sexual wellness into comprehensive care plans. These professionals provide invaluable guidance on adaptive techniques, product recommendations, and communication strategies that respect both individual needs and relationship dynamics.
Access to Intimate Services: A Human Rights Approach
In New South Wales, where sex work is decriminalized, individuals with disabilities can access services that provide more than just physical release. These encounters offer genuine human connection, touch, and emotional validation often denied through social isolation.
The benefits extend beyond the immediate experience. Many report profound improvements in self-confidence, body image, and overall emotional wellbeing. This newfound confidence often translates into other areas of life—from trying new activities to engaging more actively in community.
“After my accident, I thought that part of my life was over,” admits James, who experienced a traumatic brain injury. “My sessions helped me reconnect with my body and realize I’m still a complete person. That changed everything about how I approach life now.”
The Therapeutic Value of Intimate Connection
Research increasingly confirms what many have experienced personally—sexual expression and intimate contact provide significant therapeutic benefits. These include reduced anxiety, improved sleep quality, natural pain management through endorphin release, and enhanced mood regulation.
For some individuals with behavioral challenges, regular access to appropriate sexual expression creates noticeable improvements in overall regulation and wellbeing. Parents and caregivers often report positive changes in general demeanor, frustration tolerance, and social engagement following the integration of sexual wellness into comprehensive care.
Progressive Policy Approaches
Forward-thinking regions like Australia and the Netherlands have implemented pioneering programs that recognize sexual expression as a health consideration. These countries provide government assistance for a limited number of sessions with sex workers annually for qualifying individuals with disabilities.
While these programs represent important progress, they address only part of a more complex reality. True equality requires broader understanding, including:
- Challenging assumptions that desexualize people with disabilities
- Recognizing diverse relationship possibilities beyond stereotypes
- Supporting adaptive intimate products through health funding channels
- Providing comprehensive sexual education tailored to various needs
At Adult Lifestyle Centres, we proudly champion these principles through accessible stores, knowledgeable staff, and carefully selected products that support sexual wellness for everyone. We believe sex represents a fundamental aspect of human experience that should never be limited by physical ability, social stigma, or lack of resources.
Wheelchair Accessible Adult Shop
At Kogarah we see many committed couples entering our store
One has a disability and the other has full mobility, and yet they still lead fulfilling sex lives. This may have resulted from an unfortunate accident. Or they simply might have fallen in love despite their differences. Either way, they do face challenges that other couples may not ever have to face.
After some trial and error in sexual positions they will discover what works for them and take advantage of a full and active sexual life. These couples report being just as happy in an able-bodied and committed relationship.
Indeed, ideas such as able-bodied and disability shouldn’t even be considered when it comes to relationships and just serves to highlight the stigmas that they face. What should be acknowledged is that their challenges are different in comparison to other couples and often we hear stories of the non-disabled partner finding even more security and joy being in this type of relationship.
Even if someone is constricted to a wheelchair, there are a multitude of sexual positions they can still enjoy.
Sex is a very creative art
With some creativity and possibly some assistance with supports, proper penetrative sex can still take place. This is partly why Adult Lifestyle Centre at Kogarah exists, is that we saw a lack of service towards the disability sector and we aimed to not only fill that void, but to ensure that it spread across the industry. Kogarah has been set up with this inclusive aspect in mind, and as such we see clients come through from all over the state.
At a size of over 400 metres, our Kogarah store is one of the largest stores within the Sydney Metropolitan district and has been catering to clients for several years. This has been backed by our professional staff and other stores which have been decades of cumulative experience.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to sex and the disabled which needs to end.
The only way it shall end is when society realises people with mobility or intellectual disabilities want to lead normal sex lives. We must promote disability positivity which highlights the positive facts over the negative. People with disabilities should have a quality of life at par with people who do not have disabilities and sex is just a normal part of life.
They do not need to hide their disability or be ashamed of it, but rather embrace it and accept who they are- everyday people. This is the just one of the aims of providing inclusivity and accessibility to our Kogarah Adult Store.
“We’re all one car accident away from being in the same position as these guys. Tomorrow we could all wake up out of coma and not be able to eat let alone have sex or touch ourselves.”
– Rachel Wotton.
FAQs About Wheelchair Accessibility in Shops
What makes a shop wheelchair accessible?
A wheelchair-accessible shop has features like wide entrances, ramps instead of stairs, spacious aisles, accessible restrooms, and lowered counters. This ensures easy navigation and access for individuals using wheelchairs.
What can I do if a shop isn’t wheelchair accessible
If a shop isn’t accessible, you can contact the management to inquire about possible accommodations. Additionally, you can file a complaint with local authorities or disability rights organizations to encourage compliance with accessibility laws.
How can I find wheelchair-accessible shops near me?
You can use online resources like Google Maps, which often indicate whether a location is wheelchair accessible. Apps and websites like AccessNow and Wheelmap also provide user-generated information on accessibility.
What are common obstacles wheelchair users face in shops?
Common obstacles include narrow doorways and aisles, lack of ramps, high shelves, inaccessible restrooms, cluttered spaces, and heavy or non-automatic doors that are difficult to open.
How can shop owners improve wheelchair accessibility?
Shop owners can improve accessibility by installing ramps, widening aisles, lowering checkout counters, ensuring accessible restrooms. This provides clear signage, and training staff to assist customers with disabilities.
Are all types of wheelchairs accommodated in accessible shops?
Most accessible shops are designed to accommodate standard and electric wheelchairs. However, larger motorized wheelchairs or scooters might require additional space, so it’s important for shops to consider a range of mobility devices.
Can I bring a service dog into a shop for wheelchair users?
Yes, service dogs are typically allowed in shops, even in places where pets are not permitted. Service animals are trained to assist individuals with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, and are protected under disability rights laws.
What should I do if a shop’s accessible entrance is blocked?
If an accessible entrance is blocked, notify the shop’s staff immediately so they can rectify the situation. If the issue persists, consider reporting it to local authorities as it may be a violation of accessibility laws.
How can I give feedback to a shop about their accessibility?
You can give feedback directly to the shop’s management or staff, use comment cards if available, or leave a review online. Providing constructive feedback helps shops understand the importance of accessibility and encourages improvements.
