If you’re looking for a night out with a difference in the New Year, look no further. We at Enhance the UK are absolutely delighted to announce that, on the 28^th January, we will be teaming up with the brilliant Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium to present an evening of all things sex, disability, access and inclusion (and we want it to be as fun and fearless as possible for all!)

If you are yet to hear about us and what we do, Enhance the UK provides disability awareness training, British Sign Language workshops and accessibility audits to businesses and organisations all over the UK and further afield. As a user-led charity, all of our trainers have impairments themselves. As well as training, we focus on the sexual rights and responsibilities of disabled people. The fun and fearless element is something we’re passionate about, but there’s also plenty of serious and horrifying statistics that simply can’t be overlooked. Disabled women are three times as likely as their non-disabled peers to be sexually abused, for example, and sex education in schools is still far from inclusive, leading to Deaf and disabled young people and adults being wholly unaware of their vulnerabilities, capabilities and the support available to them in this arena.

We set up the 'Undressing Disability' campaign to support disabled people in having romantic lives that are both safe and fulfilling, and we do this by providing free resources, giving talks at relevant conferences and events, and running our Love Lounge, a Q and A forum that encourages disabled people and their loved ones to write in (anonymously, if they wish) with any questions surrounding love, sex, dating and relationships. We call ourselves the ‘non-expert sexperts’ and if we don’t know the answer, we’ll find someone that does! Until we are all able to have safe, fun and fulfilling romantic relationships, there’s plenty for us to be getting on with. 

And so, at the beginning of 2020, we will be putting our Love Lounge powers to the test at an event, hosted by the lovely Sh! Team, that invites you and your loved ones to ask any questions relating to disability, sex, love and relationships that you desire.  You might have a query about pain and positioning in the bedroom, or wonder how best to present yourself as a disabled person on your online dating profile.  Maybe you’re wanting to know more about the accessible and inclusive sex toys that are on the market, or are a non-disabled person yourself and wondering what the correct terminology to use is around a new sexual partner who happens to be disabled.

Whatever your interest, intrigue, question or dilemma, we will do our best to help. And, should you be interested in hearing more about us and the work we do, visit www.enhancetheuk.org, email us at hello@enhancetheuk.org, or search for #UndressingDisability to find us on social – we’re always up for a chat!

See you soon!

TICKETS

• When: 28th January 2020 at 7pm
• Where: Sh! 31-35 Pitfield Street, London N1 6HB
• Early Bird Tickets! Enhance the UK at Sh!

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Please email us at events@sh-womenstore for any specific accessibility requirements you might need that are not mentioned below.

Access to Sh! - This event will be held in the cafe connected to Sh! (the two are separated by a curtain). There are two low steps at the front entrance, though we do have a removable ramp that is compatible with chairs where the back and front legs are aligned. Alternatively, there is a side entrance with step-free access.

Toilets - Unfortunately, we do not have a disabled toilet on site. The cafe has two gender-neutral cubicles available. The closest accessible toilet is on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn. The address is 275 Old St, EC1V 9LN 275 Old St, Hackney, London EC1V 9LN

Sound - The educators and panelists will have lapel mics, unfortunately, we do not have the facilities for an induction loop

Transport - The closest tube station toSh! is Old Street station on the Northern Line. The closest underground stations with Step-Free Access are Shoreditch High Street (London Overground, 850m away), Liverpool Street Station (Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, 2.0km away) or Kings Cross St Pancras (Northern Line, 4.4km away)

• From Liverpool Street Station available buses to Sh!; 205, 135 to Ravey Street (260m away). 35, 47 to Shoreditch Town Hall (300m away). 26, 48 to Shoreditch Church (550m away).
• From Kings Cross Station available buses to Sh!; 214 to City Road Leonard Street (550m away) or 205 to Pitfield Street (200m away). 
• There are also a range of buses nearby; 55, 243, N55, 135, 205, N205, 35, 47, 78, 21, 76, 141, 271