Media Discourse Surrounding Removal of NDIS Funding from Sex Services: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis

Media Discourse Surrounding Removal of NDIS Funding from Sex Services: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Media Discourse Surrounding Removal of NDIS Funding from Sex Services: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis Fang Qi Hoo, Mary-Ann O’Donovan, Callan Turnbull, Ava Levin, Scott Denton, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Introduction Since 2020, funding of sex supports has been considered an appropriate service as part of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) packages in Australia. Former NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten, announced in July 2024 that specialised sex services will no longer be available with NDIS funding, leading to an influx of media discourse. Methods This study aimed to analyse this media discourse between February and August 2024 and understand the diversity of expert representation, the reach of the articles, and explore how sex services were interpreted in the coverage. It was hypothesised that people with disability are underrepresented in news media focussing on these changes to NDIS support. In total, 347 articles were identified: 200 were duplicates and three were not news articles, leaving 144 for screening. These articles were double screened by the assessors, leaving 40 articles for inclusion. The data extracted underwent content and statistical analysis. Results Results illustrated a narrow breadth of expert representation, with heavily skewed political representation, poor sex-related terminology presented and discussed, and five prominent themes and subthemes identified. Conclusion This treatise highlights continued bias in media representation of disability-related issues and the need for greater guidance for journalists in how to best write media articles related to political issues surrounding people with disabilities. Policy Implications This study seeks to guide policymakers on the importance of the co-design process with the disabled community to ensure future reforms to the NDIS will meet and acknowledge the complex needs of people with disability. NDIS Australia policy disability sex services Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 INTRODUCTION People with disability are sexual beings and deserve to have control over their choices about sexuality and relationships (Shah, 2017). Adopting a positive and respectful approach to sexuality has been shown to improve overall wellbeing in people with disability (Anderson, 2013; Shah, 2017). However, the sexual and affective needs of people with disability are frequently overlooked, and their capacity for pleasurable and affectionate relationships are not commonly recognised (Tepper, 2000). Nevertheless, research indicates the presence of a disability, whether congenital or acquired, does not diminish the fundamental need for emotion and sexual expression. In fact, individuals with disabilities experience these needs in the same manner as their non-disabled counterparts (Phasha & Runo, 2017; Shah, 2017). The importance of sexuality has been acknowledged in international conventions and state level initiatives. Article 10 – Right of Life, of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD), recognises the right of people with disability to experience the same fulfilling life as people without: “States parties reaffirm that every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by person with disabilities on an equal basis with others” (United Nations, 2006). Sexuality is a multifaceted (Henkelman, Friedman, McInnis, & Pukall, 2023) and integral part of human identity, wellbeing and relationships (Government of Western Australia, 2024), influencing how people perceive themselves, engage with others and experience feelings of intimacy and pleasure (Government of Western Australia, 2024). Access to sexuality can impact one’s holistic wellbeing (Anderson, 2013; Women With Disabilities Australia, 2024) and is a part of a fulfilling life – it should be seen to be as necessary as good nutrition and access to healthcare (Vehmas, 2019). Play Safe Pro, an initiative by the New South Wales (NSW) Government, states that any person with a disability has the right to engage in sexual relationships, have proper access to sexual health services and to have agency over their own bodies (Play Safe Pro, n.d.). However, people with disability continue to be excluded from the normative definitions of sexuality and sexual experiences (Shah, 2017), and, consequently, are commonly not recognised as sexual beings (Pebdani & Tashjian, 2022). Disability is heterogeneous (Scura & Piazza, 2025), encompassing the individual and society. For example, long-term health conditions (physically, mentally or intellectually) and the interaction people with these conditions have with their environment (NSW Public Service Commission, 2020) influences disability. In contrast to the Medical Model, where one’s genetic makeup or condition is viewed as the limiting factor, this socially constructed phenomenon, articulated by the Social Model of Disability, insinuates that disability arises from societal barriers (Lawson & Beckett, 2021), which limits and prevents access to employment, social resources and positive self-identity (Esmail, Darry, Walter, & Knupp, 2010). This framework is pivotal in the acceptance of people with disability within society. It shifts the focus from the individual who is ‘different’ to society as a whole, advocating for societal reform and the need to promote inclusion, equity and a more positive perception of disability (Lawson & Beckett, 2021). These changes do not come without challenges. The media is a powerful protagonist in shaping public perceptions on many viewpoints within society (Devotta, Wilton, & Yiannakoulias, 2013; Liao, 2023; Spirchagova, Nikitina, & Spirchagova, 2021), including those related to disability. Disability representation in the media is stereotypical and archetypal (Swain, French, Barnes, & Thomas, 2013). The complicit nature of the media reinforces the atypical social construction within society, with the media often defining how people with disabilities are regarded (Riley, 2005). In Australian media, people with disabilities are frequently portrayed through a disadvantaged lens, characterised by dependency on state funding and support (Burns & Haller, 2015). Such portrayals perpetuate disability as a deficit, emphasising limitations rather than potential. This not only marginalises individuals with disabilities but also neglects important aspects of their identities, such as sexuality, further contributing to their exclusion from broader societal discourses. Political History and Climate of Disability and Sexuality in Australia The political history and climate of disability and sexuality in Australia have been shaped by evolving legal frameworks, societal perceptions and various advocacy efforts that continue to influence the rights of the disabled community in their pursuit of sexual autonomy. The UNCRPD is an international human rights treaty designed to ensure people with disabilities can fully and equally enjoy “all human rights and fundamental freedoms” (United Nations, 2006). Australia became a signatory of this convention in 2008, with the responsibility for upholding the rights of people with disability distributed between State and Federal Governments (Department of Social Services, 2024b). The Shut Out Report, commissioned by the National Disability and Carer Council, highlighted the widespread experiences of disadvantage and exclusion from full and equal participation in the Australian community faced by people with disability (Innes, 2009). Findings of this report informed the Australian Government’s development of the first National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (Parliament of Australia, 2017). The Disability Strategy aimed to establish a national plan for improving quality of life for Australians living with a disability (Parliament of Australia, 2017), overseeing Australia’s obligations to the UNCRPD. Building on the Disability Strategy, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was developed and delivered by the Australian Federal Government’s National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It provides funding for eligible participants (National Disability Insurance Agency, 2024) to access participant-centred “reasonable and necessary” individualised services (Shelby-James, Duncan, Rattray, & Reed, 2023; Visser, Slattery, & Stewart, 2021) to empower Australians living with disabilities by providing them autonomy over their goals and ensuring the supports they receive give them choice and control (Mellifont, Hancock, Scanlan, & Hamilton, 2023; National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2022). State governments also have a role in supporting people with disabilities through a network of public authorities, including local governments, which have disability inclusion action plans in place (Department of Social Services, 2024a). The concept of people with disability having “choice and control” over decisions impacting their lives was presented in the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 ("Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023," 2023). However, the NDIS and the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 appear to have contradicting principles. To be approved for funding under the NDIS, the support must be deemed “reasonable and necessary” (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2019), suggesting third party involvement is required for justification of the cost, such as medical or allied health input. These contradicting principles continue to result in a disparity on how people with disabilities can make their own decisions in many aspects of life – an issue recently highlighted regarding funding for sexual support In 2019, an NDIS participant sought $10,000 annually from the NDIS for sexual therapy, as it was deemed unlikely for her to achieve sexual release without professional intervention (McGregor-Lowndes, 2019). This request led to a pivotal legal case in May 2020, when the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) ruled in favour of this participant in National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF [2020] FCFCA 79. The FCA upheld the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s decision, stating the sex therapy services Ms ‘WRMF’ had requested were a “reasonable and necessary” support under the NDIS ("National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF ", 12 May 2020). The judgement clarified the NDIS Act did not explicitly exclude sexual services from being funded and that these supports were intended to be included in appropriate cases. This ruling set a precedent that sex work could be a valid service funded under the NDIS. In late 2022, NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten, announced a review of NDIS provisions, including those related to sexual supports (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2024a). By July 2024, Bill Shorten revealed plans to introduce new rules excluding services like hiring of sex workers and provision of sex toys from NDIS funding. Citing concerns about the appropriate use of public funds for such services on 7 th July 2024, Shorten explained these services did not “pass the pub test”, and thus would not be widely accepted by the everyday Australian, justifying their removal from NDIS funding. Later, in October 2024, sexual supports were removed from funding (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2024b). This change highlights the evolving limits of the NDIS policy, the ongoing debate over what constitutes “reasonable and necessary” supports and how existing sociocultural beliefs regarding sexuality and disability have created significant barriers for people with disabilities to safely explore their sexuality (Sakellariou, 2006); potentially being more disabling than physical impairments (Neufeld, Klingbeil, Bryen, Silverman, & Thomas, 2002; Sakellariou, 2006). Research Gaps and Aims The insinuation that sexual supports would not “pass the pub test” invited a media storm for a multitude of perspectives and opinions to be presented. Research conducted into disability and sexuality has looked primarily at how these two topics have been presented in popular culture (Bluhm, 2021; Malinowska, 2017). As such, there is limited discussion and critical analysis of research into media representations of disability and sexuality outside of popular culture. The aim of this study was to analyse how NDIS-funded sex supports and their removal were represented in mainstream Australian news outlets in the 6-month period preceding 27 th August 2024, in line with the timeline of the NDIS changes and the remark made by Shorten in July 2024. This evidence seeks to contribute to the literature in research on the intersection of disability, sexuality and media representation, and its impact on media discourse. As such, the primary research question guiding the analysis was: Whose voices are being represented in the media discourse regarding disability and sex in the 6-month period preceding 27 th August 2024 ? This question sought to uncover the diversity of perspectives included, particularly the extent to which individuals with disabilities or experts in disability advocacy were consulted. There was also a sub-question that guided the analysis: What were the main themes discussed in this media discourse? METHODS This study employed a mixed methods analysis of published news articles to examine the representation of sexuality and disability in Australian media. Specifically, it focused on several key aspects: identifying the experts consulted in media responses, analysing how sex supports were defined in the discourse, exploring how the impacts of the NDIS reforms were presented, and identifying the main themes within the articles. Articles were sourced from major Australian news outlets, both print and online, using the Factiva database, published between 27 February and 27 August 2024. Data Source and Screening The Dow Jones-owned Factiva was utilised for data collection following thorough consultation with a University of Sydney Librarian. Factiva is a business intelligence platform providing vast access to news, data and information sources from across 200 countries and 32 different languages (Factiva, n.d.). This platform ensured broad coverage of relevant news articles from mainstream Australian outlets. A search strategy was developed in consultation with a University Librarian using identified key words and subject headings, outlined in Figure 1. Two researchers applied this strategy to conduct a comprehensive search within the Factiva database. All articles retrieved from the search were assessed independently by two researchers based on predefined criteria outlined in Table 1. Both title and full-text screening were independently conducted to ensure objectivity. Any conflicts regarding article inclusion were resolved through discussion with the supervisory team to maintain methodological rigor. Table 1: Eligibility criteria used to screen for article inclusion Criterion Inclusion Exclusion Source News articles published online or in print in Australia News articles published outside of Australia Publication types News articles Blog posts, transcripts of speeches Research topic News articles discussing NDIS and sex supports Language English Timeline Articles published within six months from date of search Data Analysis Quantitative Data from the included articles were first extracted independently by two assessors and then compared for accuracy. Extraction variables included paper-specific data (source; author; and word count), sociodemographic variables (gender of authors and experts; number and type of experts consulted – categorised as politicians, disabled speakers, academics; word count attributed to each expert; the order in which the expertise was presented; and the article's focus – sex work, sex services, sex therapy, sex supports, and sex toys). Where an expert held multiple identities (i.e. both a person with a disability and a politician), they were categorised as both. All extracted data was entered into Microsoft Excel by two researchers independently and compared to ensure inter-rater reliability. Where disagreements occurred, the two researchers revisited the original source and came to consensus. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyse the quantitative data, providing an overview of trends in media representation. Qualitative content analysis and coding scheme An inductive qualitative content analysis was undertaken for each article. Articles were coded line-by-line by two researchers and meaningful content units were identified individually. The two researchers then compared their codes and where there were discrepancies in codes, the researchers discussed until consensus was reached. This facilitated the identification of patterns and key narratives within the media representation of NDIS-funded sex supports. This qualitative approach provided deeper insight into the framing of disability and sexuality in the Australian media. Positionality Coding was conducted by a woman-identifying Honours Physiotherapy student and a man-identifying Doctor of Physiotherapy student. Coding was overseen by a woman-identifying neurodivergent academic with extensive experience in qualitative research and expertise in sexuality and disability. Theme development was completed by the Honours student and aforementioned academic, and shared with the wider research team for feedback. RESULTS A total of 347 news media were retrieved with the search strategy and screened for inclusion; the process is illustrated in Figure 2. Three results were excluded as they did not meet the criteria of being news articles, whilst 200 were removed as duplicates. A further 104 were removed at full-text screening as they did not address NDIS and sexuality, leaving a remaining 40 articles for inclusion. Quantitative Analysis Authorship and Gender Representation Twenty-four unique journalists authored the 40 articles: 10 men (41.7%) and 14 women (58.3%). Eleven articles (27.5%) were exclusively composed by men and 21 articles (52.5%) by women. The gender of the author was undetermined for four articles (10.0%), represented by N /A in Figure 3, and four articles (10.0%) were composed by men and women. Publications and Overall Wordcount Across the included media (n = 40), the sum of the word count was 31,208, and ranged from 252 to 2,687. The mean and median word count was 780.2 words and 683 words, respectively. Articles were published in 21 different Australian news outlets across Australia, portrayed in Figure 4. The Australian Financial Review (AFR) Online had the greatest number of included articles (n = 6). Frequency of articles included by publisher is also illustrated in Figure 3. Expert Representation Thirty-five individual experts were quoted in the articles. The background of these experts varied, with twelve politicians compromising 34.3% of experts and ten experts (28.6%) being people with disabilities. Jordon Steele-John is one example of a politician with disability, and thus coded as both. Five experts were academics (14.3%). Appendix 1 illustrates the expert representation in each article. Political Representation Of the 40 articles, 32 articles referenced politicians (80.0%), shown in Appendix 1. The politician word count was 4,982 words, with 3,633 words being verbatim quotes (11.6% of overall word count; 72.9% of politician word count) and 1,349 words being general references (4.3% of overall word count; 27.1% of politician word count). The proportion of verbatim and general references of politicians to total word count is shown in Appendix 1. People with Disability Representation Experts with disability were consulted in 21 articles (52.5%) (Appendix 1). The word count attributable to people with disability was 2,614, of which 1,468 words were quoted verbatim (4.7% of overall word count; 56.2% of disability word count) and 1,128 words were general references (3.6% of overall word count; 43.2% of disability word count). Appendix 1 delineates the proportion total disability word count to overall word count. Academic Representation Academics were consulted or quoted in six articles (15%). Of these, two were written by academics (papers 8 and 33). Considering this, the academic word count was difficult to decipher and there was no concurrence between the authors in how to best represent this word count. Assuming these two articles are considered to be 100% of the academic’s words, it would result in significant misrepresentation of the word count proportions and thus impact reliability. Thus, only the verbatim and general word counts were considered: 1,906 words (6.11% of overall word count) and 158 words (0.5% of overall word count), respectively. Presentation of Economic and Disability Impacts Fifteen of the 40 articles presented both economic impacts and impacts on people with disability resulting from the NDIS reforms. Sixteen of the 40 articles (40%) focussed solely on the broader economic impacts on Australian society, whilst seven articles (17.5%) focussed exclusively on the impacts on people with disability. Further analysis revealed eight of the 15 articles (53.3%) including both economic and disability impacts, presented the economic impacts first, whilst seven (46.7%) presented the impacts on people with disability first. A sub-analysis indicated the eight articles presenting economic impacts first, three (37.5%) were published in AFR. Focus on Sex Supports Sex work was the most commonly discussed form of sex support, appearing in 31 articles (77.5%). In contrast, sex therapy was the least discussed, being referenced in only 10% of articles. Summary of Thematic Analysis The qualitative content analysis surrounding NDIS-funded sex work generated a total of five major themes, each reflecting distinct aspects of this discourse. As illustrated in Figure 7, the five themes were – sexuality and disability, consequences of NDIS reforms on people with disability, sustainability of the NDIS, difficulties accessing and providing NDIS-funded sex work and, call for co-design in policy development. Theme 1: Sexuality and Disability This theme highlighted the complexity between disability, sexuality and societal perceptions. The analysis revealed that people with disability face physical and societal barriers when attempting to engage in intimate relationships. The complication of these barriers leads to minimal opportunities for formation of intimate connections. The following subthemes emerged within this theme: Recognition of sexual desires Despite common misconceptions that people with disabilities are non-sexual or lack sexual desires, advocates and individuals with a disability emphasise that sexual needs are as significant in the disabled community as they are in the non-disabled group. This is boldly illustrated these quotes: “... yes, disabled people get horny too” (Barstow & Schnabel, 2024) and “It is reasonable for any adult to seek to experience sexual pleasure” (Holmes, 2024). The overt wording from Clem Bastow and Ali Schnabel reinforces the importance of sexuality in the disabled community, strongly opposing the misconception that people with disabilities do not have sexual desires. This one statement openly supports the need to support sexuality within the disabled community, suggesting this community is, in fact, no different to a ‘normal’ community, as indicated by Holmes. This recognition is crucial for dismantling the ableist stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive view of sexuality that encompasses diverse experiences. Disability as a barrier to intimate relationships The aforementioned barriers limiting individuals with disability can contribute to social isolation, further perpetuating little social interaction, “making companionship unattainable to people with disability” (Barstow & Schnabel, 2024). Stereotypes and attitudes towards physical disabilities, such as the idea that “nobody swipes right for people in power wheelchairs…(and) for people with significant deformities” (Clayton, 2024), illustrate how barriers to intimacy are often imposed by societal stigmas. This subtheme emphasises the need for inclusive social spaces and attitudinal change to support intimacy for people with disabilities. Public misconceptions of NDIS-funded sex work The misconception that NDIS-funded sex services are inappropriate or exploitative contributes to stigmas that undermine their legitimate role in supporting sexual expression, thus resulting in resistance to funding. “I can't see that [access to sex on the NDIS] as being something which the taxpayer thinks should be funded” (Holmes, 2024), is a prominent quote from the discourse, highlighting the resentment society ‘feels’ as a result of NDIS-funded sex work. However, experts and advocates often attempt to dispel these myths, clarifying disability sex support is non-judgemental and does not fulfil salacious expectations, as portrayed in this quote “…Nothing sexy is happening. There’s no flirting between me and the client beforehand” (Clayton, 2024). This subtheme emphasises the need for public education to foster a more informed and compassionate understanding of NDIS-funded sex work. Theme 2: Consequences of NDIS Reforms on People with Disability This theme addressed concerns surrounding proposed changes to the NDIS that may restrict funding for sexual support, potentially compromising the wellbeing of people with disabilities. Analysis revealed that such reforms, though aimed at cost-cutting or appeasing public concerns, could have unintended consequences. Two subthemes highlighted these consequences: Negative impacts on holistic wellbeing A common argument throughout the discourse was that reducing access to sex work “would reduce opportunities for touch and intimacy” (Evans, 2024). Intimacy and touch are crucial in ensuring wellbeing, particularly those who may experience isolation due to physical or social barriers. The unintended consequences of banning access to sex work may result in increased loneliness or depression and impact overall quality of life. This subtheme emphasises the need to consider the holistic health benefits of intimate and sexual support. Access to support and social inclusion Proposed reforms may limit participants’ access to support, effectively excluding people with disabilities from engaging in society, increasing their marginalisation. This was evident by “[reforms would] severely restrict access to the NDIS and supports people with disability rely on... and make it harder for people with disability to participate in our schools, workplaces and communities” (McIllroy, 2024a). This subtheme suggests policies aiming to restrict access could lead to further exclusion and reduce autonomy for people with disabilities. Theme 3: Sustainability of the NDIS This theme explored the economic and political justifications for proposed reforms, focussing on the perceived need to sustain the NDIS financially. Reform advocates, namely the politicians, noted a necessity to curb escalating costs and ensure long-term viability. However, critics argue limiting access to sexual services is unlikely to significantly impact the budget due to low numbers of participants requesting these services. Politicians emphasise rising costs within the NDIS make reforms necessary to ensure its longevity. Without strategic changes, it is argued the scheme may become unsustainable, as conveyed by “If we don’t do something about the cost growth, there will be no NDIS” (McIllroy, 2024b).This quote underscores the government’s focus on reducing expenditure to safeguard NDIS longevity. However, critics suggest cost-saving measures should be balanced with maintaining essential support services for participants. Although restricting sexual services under the NDIS is presented to reduce costs, evidence suggests that a minute proportion of participants actually utilise these services under the NDIS. Consequently, it can be inferred the impact on financial stability would be minimal, as most requests are denied. This can be seen from the “228 requests for sexual activity support in the 12 months to the end of April [were received], but “none were granted” ”(Kelly, 2024). The minimal impact on financial stability viewpoint is also shared by the President of Touching Base, Saul Isbister “ It has been put forward to garner support for the government in creating limitations on how services may be funded...But because of the low numbers involved, this in no way addresses the major issues of sustainability which the government is required to address” (Kelly, 2024). These quotes present a different perspective on the cost-cutting, by questioning whether the emphasis on cutting sexual services is more of a symbolic gesture than a practical solution, suggesting there may alternative and more meaningful cost-cutting avenues that should be explored. Theme 4: Difficulties accessing and providing NDIS-funded Sex Work This theme delved into the logistical and social challenges faced by both providers and receivers in the context of NDIS-funded sex work. Analysis indicates accessing these services requires navigating complex social dynamics and organisational processes, often involving multiple stakeholders. This can be summarised by the quote “[Accessing] intimacy services through the NDIS will often involve communication [with] occupational therapists, support workers and even sometimes the parents of the participant before they even meet the sex therapist.” (Clayton, 2024). The complexity of access and stakeholder involvement can make it difficult for people with disabilities to autonomously access sexual services and for providers to create a supportive environment for clients, as quoted: “…have to be creative in a way that’s going to facilitate real human touch and intimacy while not hurting them…, while also providing them with a space to reciprocate” (Clayton, 2024). People with disabilities who had engaged with a disability-informed sex worker also stated that that it was not easy to find sex workers who understood this concern, as stated in “I've been fortunate enough to find a sex worker who understands trauma and disability” ("Try a little tenderness regarding NDIS sex work," 2024). The sensitivity associated with these concerns suggests greater training and awareness is required in the field to adequately support clients with diverse need. Theme 5: Call for Co-Design in Policy Development This theme captured the call from advocates and individuals with disabilities for greater involvement in policy-making processes. The analysis reveals that many believe policies related to sexuality and disability should be co-designed with people who have lived experience to ensure comprehensiveness and respectfulness. There was further discussion that the holistic wellbeing of people on the NDIS were not being considered in the making of the reforms. Advocates argue the NDIS needs to consider the full spectrum of wellbeing, which includes sexual health and personal connection, when making policy decisions, as indicated in: “...needs to be looked at in the deeper sense of the mental health and the physical health of people who need to engage with sexual services through the NDIS” (Evans, 2024). Participants currently feel current reforms do not adequately consider these aspects and thus feel these reforms are inadvertently harmful. Consequently, there is a strong demand for co-design regarding NDIS policies, an important concept conveyed in: “...commit the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to co-designing with the disability community a comprehensive sexuality policy that acknowledges and respects the diverse sexual and intimacy needs of people with disability” (Holmes, 2024). Advocates argue consultation with people with disabilities in policy changes will result in more effective and compassionate policies, reinforcing the need to recognise the voices and lived experiences within the disability community to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are acknowledged and met. DISCUSSION This study examined the representation of people with disability in the Australian media discourse surrounding disability and sex. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of 40 Australian news articles revealed politicians had the greatest representation, followed by people with disability, then academics. Politicians dominated the discourse with 4,982 words, compared to people with disabilities with 2,614 words, accentuating a gap in media amplification of disabled voices on issues directly impacting their lives. This disparity in representation supports the study’s hypothesis: the perspectives of people with disabilities – those most affected by the proposed reforms – are underrepresented in media coverage. The limited representation not only affects public understanding but also reinforces societal misconceptions around disability and sexuality. The societal stigma that people with disabilities are not sexual or lack sexual needs has been challenged in existing literature, arguing that societal barriers can be more disabling than physical impairments when expressing sexuality (Neufeld et al., 2002 ; Sakellariou, 2006 ; Women With Disabilities Australia, 2024 ). Additionally, the minimal representation of people with disability perpetuates stigmatising stereotypes, such as the disabled community being non-sexual (Esmail et al., 2010 ). Evident from the news articles analysed, societal misconceptions continue to affect people with disability and the types of services they are allowed to access under the NDIS. The thematic analysis revealed that whilst people with disabilities had input in all themes identified within the discourse, Theme 3 “Sustainability of the NDIS” was predominantly presented by the politicians. The only exception was Jordon Steele-John, a politician living with a disability, who discussed the dire impacts the NDIS reforms would have on the disabled community. This focus underscores the perception of disability-related support as financially burdensome, a stigma that is reminiscent of the traditional business model of disability, which views accessibility as costly to society (Burns & Haller, 2015; Power, 2007). The minimal and restricted voice of the disabled community suggests the concerns of most politicians consulted and referenced did not align with that of people with disability. The concerns of people with disability, who emphasised the holistic importance of sexual support for wellbeing, were overshadowed by political narratives focussed on fiscal sustainability. The exception of Jordan Steele-John, who advocated for the disabled community’s interests despite being a politician, notably highlights the disconnect between typical political priorities and the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Through active representation and lived experiences within parliament, the societal barriers that emerge from the lack of disability representation can be overcome. This may lead to greater access in support, especially regarding sexuality and sex work within the disabled community. This continues to be in line with the social model of disability. Regarding the word content analysis, AFR, including AFR Online publications represented the greatest number of media publications analysed. This peak suggests the media discourse was primarily focussed on the escalating costs and long-term sustainability of the NDIS. However, in comparison to other sources analysed, a false narrative of the ballooning NDIS cost is present in the AFR articles, evident by the additional cost of NDIS-funded sex services. This supports the notion that the immateriality of the overall cost of NDIS-funded sex services had been turned into a pub-test issue. Moreover, this study found that misconceptions surrounding the intricacies of NDIS-funded sex work persist due to limited media engagement with individuals who have lived experiences. Only a minute number of news articles analysed consulted with someone who accesses or provides these services. This lack of consultation contributes to a narrow portrayal of disability and sexuality, thus missing opportunities to witness how people with disability truly interact and engage with their sexuality and the supports they require to fully express it. The strong focus on justifying NDIS-funded sex work as “reasonable and necessary” meant that these articles neglected to explore the concept of “choice and control” people under the NDIS should have when utilising the scheme. The lack of intersectional awareness in media reporting risks fostering policies that fail to address the diverse needs within the disabled community, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach when instigating new policies. Without accurate portrayal of the complexities surrounding disability and sexuality, media coverage may inadvertently influence public opinion in ways that do not support or respect the autonomy of people with disabilities, leading to a non-committal approach to the principle of “choice and control”. A consistently conveyed need from people with disabilities and their advocates was a call for co-design in policy making. Co-design, involving people with disabilities in decisions affecting them, would have a significant positive impact on the disabled community by ensuring policy changes align with their actual needs and experiences (People with Disability Australia, 2024; Queenslanders Disability Network, n.d.). In the context of NDIS reforms, a co-designed approach could empower people with disabilities by allowing them to shape policies that support their full participation in society and benefit the disabled community as a whole (People with Disability Australia, 2024;) (Fraser-Barbour et al., 2023; Sarmiento-Pelayo, 2015). By implementing co-designed policies, policymakers can create frameworks that genuinely support the wellbeing of people with disabilities and reflect their rights to dignity and self-determination and ultimately promote inclusion, equity and a more positive perception of disability. Limitations This study provided a snapshot of Australian news media coverage within a very limited, though highly active, timeframe of six months, capturing the immediate media response to the proposed NDIS reforms banning sex work access in NDIS packages. The findings may not fully represent the ongoing media discourse as the reforms are implemented and debated further. Additionally, this study solely focussed on print and online news publications, excluding other forms of media, such as social media platforms, discussion forums and blogs. Although traditional news outlets are widely trusted and reach a diverse readership, emerging digital platforms offer valuable insights into public sentiment and may present a broader range of perspectives, though may vary in reliability. Moreover, the reliance on Factiva for sourcing articles may have led to some publications being missed if they were not indexed in the database. Recommendations Future research should continue tracking media coverage as the proposed NDIS reforms are implemented, to identify any shifts in representation of people with disabilities. Expanding the scope of publication sources to include social media platforms, discussion forums and blogs could also lead to a wider variety of viewpoints, potentially offering a more nuanced understanding of public opinion and self-advocacy within the disabled community. The results of this study underscore the influential role journalists and media outlets have in shaping public perceptions of disability and their sexuality. To address the gaps identified, it is recommended journalists prioritise incorporating the voices of people with disability when covering political issues impacting the disabled community. By amplifying their perspectives, the media can promote a more inclusive and empathetic discourse, challenging stereotypes and advocating for policies that respect the rights, dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Furthermore, media organisations could consider training journalists on disability-inclusive reporting, encouraging sensitivity toward the intersectional challenges faced by people with disabilities. Such training can equip journalists to report on disability-related topics in ways that foster understanding and dismantle societal barriers. Lastly, adopting a co-design approach in policymaking will ensure NDIS reforms genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of the disabled community. Conclusion and Policy Implications Sexuality is a fundamental human right. Everyone, regardless of the presence of a disability, deserves the opportunity to fully participate in life, including the freedom to explore and express their sexuality safely. The NDIS has the potential to empower people with disabilities by supporting and advocating for the choice and control of their participants, including in areas related to their sexual wellbeing. Continuing to fund sexuality supports under the NDIS is essential to uphold this right and to recognise the diverse needs within the disabled community. For this to be achieved, the NDIA should prioritise a co-design approach so to promote greater inclusivity. By embracing the voices of the disabled community in policymaking, Australia can take meaningful steps toward a society where every individual has the support and freedom to live with autonomy and respect. Declarations Funding The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript. Conflicts of interest/Competing interests The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Availability of data and material Not applicable Code availability (software application or custom code) ((sex therapy) OR (sex support) OR (sex work) OR (sex services) AND (access) AND (NDIS)) – used in Factiva. Authors' contributions All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Author 1, and Author 3. Author 2 and Author 6 supported with the protocol design, supervision, review of the coding framework and analysis. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Author 1, and Author 2 and Author 6 reviewed and edited versions of the manuscript. Author 5 provided the policy lens for the manuscript and reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Ethics approval Ethical approval was not required for this study as it was a secondary analysis of media reports. References Anderson, R. M. (2013). Positive sexuality and its impact on overall well-being. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz, 56 (2), 208-214. doi:10.1007/s00103-012-1607-z Barstow, C., & Schnabel, A. (2024, 12 July 2024). The uproar over the NDIS and sex work shows society still struggles to see disabled people as sexual beings. The Guardian . Bluhm, M. M. (2021). Representations of disabled sexuality in the media. (M.A. Masters Thesis). San Francisco State University, Clayton, D. (2024, 16 July 2024). Nobody swipes right for people in wheelchairs': NDIS sex worker speaks on proposed reforms. Courier Mail - Online . Department of Social Services. (2024a). Australia’s Disability Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/australias-disability-strategy Department of Social Services. (2024b). International Disability Rights. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/international-disability-rights#:~:text=The%20Australian%20Government%20ratified%20(agreed,rights%20of%20people%20with%20disability. Devotta, K., Wilton, R., & Yiannakoulias, N. (2013). Representations of disability in the Canadian news media: a decade of change? Disability and Rehabilitation, 35 (22), 1859-1868. doi:10.3109/09638288.2012.760658 Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023, 107 Stat. (2023). Esmail, S., Darry, K., Walter, A., & Knupp, H. (2010). Attitudes and perceptions towards disability and sexuality. Disability and Rehabilitation, 32 (14), 1148-1155. doi:10.3109/09638280903419277 Evans, J. (2024, 21 July 2024). William uses NDIS funding to see sex workers. He says before that, isolation... Australian Broadcasting Corporation News . Government of Western Australia. (2024). What is sexuality? Retrieved from https://tsto.gdhr.wa.gov.au/diversity/what-is-sexuality Henkelman, M., Friedman, J., McInnis, M., & Pukall, C. (2023). (092) What is Sexuality?: Moving Toward Inclusive and Comprehensive Measurement. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 20 (Supplement_2), qdad061.088. doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdad061.088 Holmes, D. (2024, 15 July 2024). Why are sexual services being banned from the NDIS? The Mandarin . Innes, G. (2009). Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia [Review of Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia]. In. Kelly, C. (2024, 15 July 2024). Sex work services on the NDIS: is it a real issue or just a 'red herring'? The Guardian . Lawson, A., & Beckett, A. E. (2021). The social and human rights models of disability: towards a complementarity thesis. The International Journal of Human Rights, 25 (2), 348-379. doi:10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533 Liao, C. H. (2023). Exploring the Influence of Public Perception of Mass Media Usage and Attitudes towards Mass Media News on Altruistic Behavior. Behav Sci (Basel), 13 (8). doi:10.3390/bs13080621 Malinowska, A. (2017). Lost in representation: Disabled sex and the aesthetics of the ‘norm’. Sexualities, 21 , 136346071668867. doi:10.1177/1363460716688678 ACPNS Legal Case Notes Series: 2019-41 WRMF and National Disability Insurance Agency , (2019). McIllroy, T. (2024a, 23 August 2024). Labour faces fight over NDIS eligibility rules. The Australian Financial Review . McIllroy, T. (2024b, 25 August 2024). Shorten defends disability cost savings. The Australian Financial Review - Online . Mellifont, D., Hancock, N., Scanlan, J. N., & Hamilton, D. (2023). Barriers to applying to the NDIS for Australians with psychosocial disability: A scoping review. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 58 (2), 262-278. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.245 National Disability Insurance Agency. (2024, 17 April 2024). What is the NDIS? Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF (Federal Court of Australia - Full Court 79 12 May 2020). National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2019, 24 September). Reasonable and necessary supports. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/reasonable-and-necessary-supports National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2022, 16 May 2022). Your rights and responsibilities. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/your-rights-and-responsibilities National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2024a). Getting the NDIS back on track. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/9975-getting-ndis-back-track National Disability Insurance Scheme. (2024b). Supports funded by the NDIS. Retrieved from https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis Neufeld, J. A., Klingbeil, F., Bryen, D. N., Silverman, B., & Thomas, A. (2002). Adolescent sexuality and disability. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 13 (4), 857-873. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1047-9651(02)00045-1 NSW Public Service Commission. (2020, 28 Oct 2020). What is disability. Retrieved from https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/culture-and-inclusion/disability-employment/understanding-disability/what-is-disability Parliament of Australia. (2017). Delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 to build inclusive and accessible communities . Retrieved from https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/AccessibleCommunities/Report/c01 Pebdani, R. N., & Tashjian, A. (2022). An Analysis of the Attitudes of the General Public Towards the Sexuality of Individuals with Disabilities Through a Systematic Literature Review. Sexuality and Disability, 40 (1), 21-55. doi:10.1007/s11195-021-09700-4 Phasha, T. N., & Runo, M. (2017). Sexuality Education in Schools for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya: Empowerment or Disempowerment? Sexuality and Disability, 35 (3), 353-370. doi:10.1007/s11195-017-9480-1 Play Safe Pro. (n.d.). Sexual health promotion with young people with a disability. Retrieved from https://pro.playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/tools/sexual-health-promotion-with-young-people-with-a-disability#:~:text=People%20with%20disability%20have%20the,good%20sexual%20health%20and%20wellbeing. Riley, C. A. (2005). Disability and the Media: Prescriptions for Change : University Press of New England. Sakellariou, D. (2006). If not the Disability, then what? Barriers to Reclaiming Sexuality Following Spinal Cord Injury. Sexuality and Disability, 24 (2), 101-111. doi:10.1007/s11195-006-9008-6 Scura, D., & Piazza, V. M. (2025). Disability Evaluation. In StatPearls . Treasure Island (FL) ineligible companies. Disclosure: Vanessa Piazza declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.: StatPearls Publishing Copyright © 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC. Shah, S. (2017). “Disabled People Are Sexual Citizens Too”: Supporting Sexual Identity, Well-being, and Safety for Disabled Young People. Frontiers in Education, 2 . doi:10.3389/feduc.2017.00046 Shelby-James, T., Duncan, A., Rattray, M., & Reed, R. (2023). National disability insurance scheme access: What evidence do you need to provide for psychosocial disability? Australasian Psychiatry, 31 (2), 174-177. doi:10.1177/10398562231154117 Spirchagova, T. A., Nikitina, S. E., & Spirchagova, M. N. (2021). Media Literature and Its Impact on People's Culture. Internation Journal of Society, Culture and Language , 95-101. Retrieved from https://www.ijscl.com/article_243166_d347a0c76a40b60ec99191563a1c0374.pdf Swain, J., French, S., Barnes, C., & Thomas, C. (2013). Disabling Barriers - Enabling Environments (3 ed.): SAGE Publications Ltd. Tepper, M. S. (2000). Sexuality and Disability: The Missing Discourse of Pleasure. Sexuality and Disability, 18 (4), 283-290. doi:10.1023/A:1005698311392 Try a little tenderness regarding NDIS sex work. (2024, 18 July 2024). The Newcastle Herald . Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (2006 13 December). Vehmas, S. (2019). Persons with profound intellectual disability and their right to sex. Disability & Society, 34 (4), 519-539. doi:10.1080/09687599.2018.1545110 Visser, K., Slattery, M., & Stewart, V. (2021). Help or hinder? An assessment of the accessibility, usability, reliability and readability of disability funding website information for Australian mental health consumers. Health Soc Care Community, 29 (5), 1378-1390. doi:10.1111/hsc.13192 Women With Disabilities Australia. (2024). Disability Specific Sexuality Supports . Retrieved from Hobart, Tasmania Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Appendix.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7046923","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":495303271,"identity":"842d2cdf-6c46-4f35-8d07-598e478b2b2c","order_by":0,"name":"Fang Qi Hoo","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fang","middleName":"Qi","lastName":"Hoo","suffix":""},{"id":495303274,"identity":"62a0bd82-bc73-4c16-902d-d31120688f04","order_by":1,"name":"Mary-Ann O’Donovan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mary-Ann","middleName":"","lastName":"O’Donovan","suffix":""},{"id":495303276,"identity":"0c82ad2e-3f86-44be-aded-9a7a91f252a0","order_by":2,"name":"Callan Turnbull","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Callan","middleName":"","lastName":"Turnbull","suffix":""},{"id":495303278,"identity":"fb1f29ec-9b7e-4d2c-b30c-d3e49dc10350","order_by":3,"name":"Ava Levin","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ava","middleName":"","lastName":"Levin","suffix":""},{"id":495303279,"identity":"9ea38a32-0b2d-47b5-b37a-ef41923d29ef","order_by":4,"name":"Scott Denton","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Scott","middleName":"","lastName":"Denton","suffix":""},{"id":495303280,"identity":"e19fe297-68d2-469f-9df2-cfbc1381c6c6","order_by":5,"name":"Roxanna Nasseri Pebdani","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"The University of Sydney","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Roxanna","middleName":"Nasseri","lastName":"Pebdani","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-04 12:53:10","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":88594276,"identity":"b5cf1614-dab7-4a1e-a3c2-0983a8b6d92a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:37:00","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":38745,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eKeywords and subject headings used for search strategy\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/bae2323d5aa60ef8c0028335.png"},{"id":88594271,"identity":"a1ee3c1c-9185-4c2c-993c-f38b69fbe111","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:37:00","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":100586,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePRISMA Diagram: Article Inclusion Process\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Haddaway et al., 2022)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/34940e8bf49b69ea99a51fda.png"},{"id":88595189,"identity":"c9d9c803-7151-428d-90d5-55b3be0728d2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:45:00","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":23619,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eArticles published by gender\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/f705ffa6b3d696e767583286.png"},{"id":88594273,"identity":"1507480c-6424-44e7-bc90-df8b4fc19df7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:37:00","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":58001,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eNews outlets who had articles included in the analysis. Also shown is the frequency of included publications by outlet\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/8b32a5d20e4e19c4b7bd8aef.png"},{"id":88595438,"identity":"0b51b923-4193-4ba9-8ebb-cd40f165de2f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:53:00","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":230442,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThemes and subthemes identified in the discourse. Each theme has been colour coded for clarity and the main themes have been bolded\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/32870de362d76146bfc4cf9b.png"},{"id":97895391,"identity":"8702d2fd-b3b9-4076-9e8d-1e2840f739bd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-10 15:34:07","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1332782,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/23cd4cff-75a0-4a87-a285-a0c78c3fd894.pdf"},{"id":88594270,"identity":"06087bc3-3ea3-4cd4-94a6-1f39a8388f25","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-08 06:37:00","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":40703,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Appendix.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7046923/v1/7941a7b016e3f8989c3f406e.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Media Discourse Surrounding Removal of NDIS Funding from Sex Services: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003ePeople with disability are sexual beings and deserve to have control over their choices about sexuality and relationships (Shah, 2017). Adopting a positive and respectful approach to sexuality has been shown to improve overall wellbeing in people with disability (Anderson, 2013; Shah, 2017). However, the sexual and affective needs of people with disability are frequently overlooked, and their capacity for pleasurable and affectionate relationships are not commonly recognised (Tepper, 2000). Nevertheless, research indicates the presence of a disability, whether congenital or acquired, does not diminish the fundamental need for emotion and sexual expression. In fact, individuals with disabilities experience these needs in the same manner as their non-disabled counterparts (Phasha \u0026amp; Runo, 2017; Shah, 2017). The importance of sexuality has been acknowledged in international conventions and state level initiatives. Article 10 \u0026ndash; Right of Life, of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD), recognises the right of people with disability to experience the same fulfilling life as people without: \u0026ldquo;States parties reaffirm that every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by person with disabilities on an equal basis with others\u0026rdquo; (United Nations, 2006). Sexuality is a multifaceted (Henkelman, Friedman, McInnis, \u0026amp; Pukall, 2023) and integral part of human identity, wellbeing and relationships (Government of Western Australia, 2024), influencing how people perceive themselves, engage with others and experience feelings of intimacy and pleasure (Government of Western Australia, 2024).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to sexuality can impact one\u0026rsquo;s holistic wellbeing (Anderson, 2013; Women With Disabilities Australia, 2024) and is a part of a fulfilling life \u0026ndash; it should be seen to be as necessary as good nutrition and access to healthcare (Vehmas, 2019). Play Safe Pro, an initiative by the New South Wales (NSW) Government, states that any person with a disability has the right to engage in sexual relationships, have proper access to sexual health services and to have agency over their own bodies (Play Safe Pro, n.d.). However, people with disability continue to be excluded from the normative definitions of sexuality and sexual experiences (Shah, 2017), and, consequently, are commonly not recognised as sexual beings\u0026nbsp;(Pebdani \u0026amp; Tashjian, 2022).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisability is heterogeneous (Scura \u0026amp; Piazza, 2025), encompassing the individual and society. For example, long-term health conditions (physically, mentally or intellectually) and the interaction people with these conditions have with their environment (NSW Public Service Commission, 2020) influences disability. In contrast to the Medical Model, where one\u0026rsquo;s genetic makeup or condition is viewed as the limiting factor, this socially constructed phenomenon, articulated by the Social Model of Disability, insinuates that disability arises from societal barriers (Lawson \u0026amp; Beckett, 2021), which limits and prevents access to employment, social resources and positive self-identity (Esmail, Darry, Walter, \u0026amp; Knupp, 2010). This framework is pivotal in the acceptance of people with disability within society. It shifts the focus from the individual who is \u0026lsquo;different\u0026rsquo; to society as a whole, advocating for societal reform and the need to promote inclusion, equity and a more positive perception of disability (Lawson \u0026amp; Beckett, 2021).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese changes do not come without challenges. The media is a powerful protagonist in shaping public perceptions on many viewpoints within society (Devotta, Wilton, \u0026amp; Yiannakoulias, 2013; Liao, 2023; Spirchagova, Nikitina, \u0026amp; Spirchagova, 2021), including those related to disability. Disability representation in the media is stereotypical and archetypal (Swain, French, Barnes, \u0026amp; Thomas, 2013). The complicit nature of the media reinforces the atypical social construction within society, with the media often defining how people with disabilities are regarded (Riley, 2005). In Australian media, people with disabilities are frequently portrayed through a disadvantaged lens, characterised by dependency on state funding and support (Burns \u0026amp; Haller, 2015). Such portrayals perpetuate disability as a deficit, emphasising limitations rather than potential. This not only marginalises individuals with disabilities but also neglects important aspects of their identities, such as sexuality, further contributing to their exclusion from broader societal discourses. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical History and Climate of Disability and Sexuality in Australia\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe political history and climate of disability and sexuality in Australia have been shaped by evolving legal frameworks, societal perceptions and various advocacy efforts that continue to influence the rights of the disabled community in their pursuit of sexual autonomy. The UNCRPD is an international human rights treaty designed to ensure people with disabilities can fully and equally enjoy \u0026ldquo;all human rights and fundamental freedoms\u0026rdquo; (United Nations, 2006). Australia became a signatory of this convention in 2008, with the responsibility for upholding the rights of people with disability distributed between State and Federal Governments (Department of Social Services, 2024b). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Shut Out Report, commissioned by the National Disability and Carer Council, highlighted the widespread experiences of disadvantage and exclusion from full and equal participation in the Australian community faced by people with disability (Innes, 2009). Findings of this report informed the Australian Government\u0026rsquo;s development of the first National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (Parliament of Australia, 2017). The Disability Strategy aimed to establish a national plan for improving quality of life for Australians living with a disability (Parliament of Australia, 2017), overseeing Australia\u0026rsquo;s obligations to the UNCRPD. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on the Disability Strategy, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was developed and delivered by the Australian Federal Government\u0026rsquo;s National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It provides funding for eligible participants (National Disability Insurance Agency, 2024) to access participant-centred \u0026ldquo;reasonable and necessary\u0026rdquo; individualised services (Shelby-James, Duncan, Rattray, \u0026amp; Reed, 2023; Visser, Slattery, \u0026amp; Stewart, 2021) to empower Australians living with disabilities by providing them autonomy over their goals and ensuring the supports they receive give them choice and control (Mellifont, Hancock, Scanlan, \u0026amp; Hamilton, 2023; National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2022). State governments also have a role in supporting people with disabilities through a network of public authorities, including local governments, which have disability inclusion action plans in place (Department of Social Services, 2024a). \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concept of people with disability having \u0026ldquo;choice and control\u0026rdquo; over decisions impacting their lives was presented in the \u003cem\u003eDisability Services and Inclusion Act 2023\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026quot;Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023,\u0026quot; 2023). However, the NDIS and the \u003cem\u003eDisability Services and Inclusion Act 2023\u003c/em\u003e appear to have\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003econtradicting principles. To be approved for funding under the NDIS, the support must be deemed \u0026ldquo;reasonable and necessary\u0026rdquo; (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2019), suggesting third party involvement is required for justification of the cost, such as medical or allied health input. These contradicting principles continue to result in a disparity on how people with disabilities can make their own decisions in many aspects of life \u0026ndash; an issue recently highlighted regarding funding for sexual support\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2019, an NDIS participant sought $10,000 annually from the NDIS for sexual therapy, as it was deemed unlikely for her to achieve sexual release without professional intervention (McGregor-Lowndes, 2019). This request led to a pivotal legal case in May 2020, when the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) ruled in favour of this participant in National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF [2020] FCFCA 79. The FCA upheld the Administrative Appeals Tribunal\u0026rsquo;s decision, \u0026nbsp; stating the sex therapy services Ms \u0026lsquo;WRMF\u0026rsquo; had requested were a \u0026ldquo;reasonable and necessary\u0026rdquo; support under the NDIS \u0026nbsp;(\u0026quot;National Disability Insurance Agency v WRMF \u0026quot;, 12 May 2020). The judgement clarified the NDIS Act did not explicitly exclude sexual services from being funded and that these supports were intended to be included in appropriate cases. This ruling set a precedent that sex work could be a valid service funded under the NDIS.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn late 2022, NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten, announced a review of NDIS provisions, including those related to sexual supports \u0026nbsp;(National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2024a). By July 2024, Bill Shorten revealed plans to introduce new rules excluding services like hiring of sex workers and provision of sex toys from NDIS funding. Citing concerns about the appropriate use of public funds for such services on 7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e July 2024, Shorten explained these services did not \u0026ldquo;pass the pub test\u0026rdquo;, and thus would not be widely accepted by the everyday Australian, justifying their removal from NDIS funding. Later, in October 2024, sexual supports were removed from funding (National Disability Insurance Scheme, 2024b).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis change highlights the evolving limits of the NDIS policy, the ongoing debate over what constitutes \u0026ldquo;reasonable and necessary\u0026rdquo; supports and how existing sociocultural beliefs regarding sexuality and disability have created significant barriers for people with disabilities to safely explore their sexuality (Sakellariou, 2006); potentially being more disabling than physical impairments (Neufeld, Klingbeil, Bryen, Silverman, \u0026amp; Thomas, 2002; Sakellariou, 2006).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731369\"\u003eResearch Gaps and Aims\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insinuation that sexual supports would not \u0026ldquo;pass the pub test\u0026rdquo; invited a media storm for a multitude of perspectives and opinions to be presented. Research conducted into disability and sexuality has looked primarily at how these two topics have been presented in popular culture (Bluhm, 2021; Malinowska, 2017). As such, there is limited discussion and critical analysis of research into media representations of disability and sexuality outside of popular culture. \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this study was to analyse how NDIS-funded sex supports and their removal were represented in mainstream Australian news outlets in the 6-month period preceding 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e August 2024, in line with the timeline of the NDIS changes and the remark made by Shorten in July 2024. This evidence seeks to contribute to the literature in research on the intersection of disability, sexuality and media representation, and its impact on media discourse. As such, the primary research question guiding the analysis was: \u003cem\u003eWhose voices are being represented in the media discourse regarding disability and sex\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ein the 6-month period preceding 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c/sup\u003e August 2024\u003c/em\u003e? This question sought to uncover the diversity of perspectives included, particularly the extent to which individuals with disabilities or experts in disability advocacy were consulted. There was also a sub-question that guided the analysis: \u003cem\u003eWhat were the main themes discussed in this media discourse?\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study employed a mixed methods analysis of published news articles to examine the representation of sexuality and disability in Australian media. Specifically, it focused on several key aspects: identifying the experts consulted in media responses, analysing how sex supports were defined in the discourse, exploring how the impacts of the NDIS reforms were presented, and identifying the main themes within the articles. Articles were sourced from major Australian news outlets, both print and online, using the Factiva database, published between 27 February and 27 August 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731371\"\u003eData Source and Screening\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dow Jones-owned Factiva was utilised for data collection following thorough consultation with a University of Sydney Librarian. Factiva is a business intelligence platform providing vast access to news, data and information sources from across 200 countries and 32 different languages (Factiva, n.d.). This platform ensured broad coverage of relevant news articles from mainstream Australian outlets. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA search strategy was developed in consultation with a University Librarian using identified key words and subject headings, outlined in Figure 1. Two researchers applied this strategy to conduct a comprehensive search within the Factiva database.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll articles retrieved from the search were assessed independently by two researchers based on predefined criteria outlined in Table 1. \u0026nbsp; Both title and full-text screening were independently conducted to ensure objectivity. Any conflicts regarding article inclusion were resolved through discussion with the supervisory team to maintain methodological rigor.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1: Eligibility criteria used to screen for article inclusion\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCriterion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInclusion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExclusion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSource\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNews articles published online or in print in Australia\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNews articles published outside of Australia\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePublication types\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNews articles\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBlog posts, transcripts of speeches\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResearch topic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNews articles discussing NDIS and sex supports\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLanguage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnglish\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 151px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTimeline\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 227px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eArticles published within six months from date of search\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 223px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731372\"\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003eQuantitative\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData from the included articles were first extracted independently by two assessors and then compared for accuracy. Extraction variables included paper-specific data (source; author; and word count), sociodemographic variables (gender of authors and experts; number and type of experts consulted \u0026ndash; categorised as politicians, disabled speakers, academics; word count attributed to each expert; the order in which the expertise was presented; and the article\u0026apos;s focus \u0026ndash; sex work, sex services, sex therapy, sex supports, and sex toys). Where an expert held multiple identities (i.e. both a person with a disability and a politician), they were categorised as both. All extracted data was entered into Microsoft Excel by two researchers independently and compared to ensure inter-rater reliability. \u0026nbsp;Where disagreements occurred, the two researchers revisited the original source and came to consensus. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyse the quantitative data, providing an overview of trends in media representation. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003eQualitative\u0026nbsp;\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003econtent analysis and coding scheme\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn inductive qualitative content analysis was undertaken for each article. \u0026nbsp;Articles were coded line-by-line by two researchers and meaningful content units were identified individually. \u0026nbsp;The two researchers then compared their codes and where there were discrepancies in codes, the researchers discussed until consensus was reached. This facilitated the identification of patterns and key narratives within the media representation of NDIS-funded sex supports. This qualitative approach provided deeper insight into the framing of disability and sexuality in the Australian media.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003ePositionality\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoding was conducted by a woman-identifying Honours Physiotherapy student and a man-identifying Doctor of Physiotherapy student. \u0026nbsp;Coding was overseen by a woman-identifying neurodivergent academic with extensive experience in qualitative research and expertise in sexuality and disability. Theme development was completed by the Honours student and aforementioned academic, and shared with the wider research team for feedback. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 347 news media were retrieved with the search strategy and screened for inclusion; the process is illustrated in Figure 2. Three results were excluded as they did not meet the criteria of being news articles, whilst 200 were removed as duplicates. A further 104 were removed at full-text screening as they did not address NDIS and sexuality, leaving a remaining 40 articles for inclusion. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eQuantitative Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eAuthorship and Gender Representation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty-four unique journalists authored the 40 articles: 10 men (41.7%) and 14 women (58.3%). Eleven articles (27.5%) were exclusively composed by men and 21 articles (52.5%) by women. \u0026nbsp;The gender of the author was undetermined for four articles (10.0%), represented by N /A in Figure 3, and four articles (10.0%) were composed by men and women. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublications and Overall Wordcount\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross the included media (n = 40), the sum of the word count was 31,208, and ranged from 252 to 2,687. The mean and median word count was 780.2 words and 683 words, respectively. Articles were published in 21 different Australian news outlets across Australia, portrayed in Figure 4. The Australian Financial Review (AFR) Online had the greatest number of included articles (n = 6). Frequency of articles included by publisher is also illustrated in Figure 3.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731375\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eExpert Representation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThirty-five individual experts were quoted in the articles. \u0026nbsp;The background of these experts varied, with twelve politicians compromising 34.3% of experts and ten experts (28.6%) being people with disabilities. Jordon Steele-John is one example of a politician with disability, and thus coded as both. Five experts were academics (14.3%). Appendix 1 illustrates the expert representation in each article.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731376\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePolitical Representation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the 40 articles, 32 articles referenced politicians (80.0%), shown in Appendix 1. The politician word count was 4,982 words, with 3,633 words being verbatim quotes (11.6% of overall word count; 72.9% of politician word count) and 1,349 words being general references (4.3% of overall word count; 27.1% of politician word count). The proportion of verbatim and general references of politicians to total word count is shown in Appendix 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731377\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePeople with Disability Representation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExperts with disability were consulted in 21 articles (52.5%) (Appendix 1). The word count attributable to people with disability was 2,614, of which 1,468 words were quoted verbatim (4.7% of overall word count; 56.2% of disability word count) and 1,128 words were general references (3.6% of overall word count; 43.2% of disability word count). \u0026nbsp;Appendix 1 delineates the proportion total disability word count to overall word count.\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcademic Representation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcademics were consulted or quoted in six articles (15%). \u0026nbsp;Of these, two were written by academics (papers 8 and 33). Considering this, the academic word count was difficult to decipher and there was no concurrence between the authors in how to best represent this word count. Assuming these two articles are considered to be 100% of the academic\u0026rsquo;s words, it would result in significant misrepresentation of the word count proportions and thus impact reliability. Thus, only the verbatim and general word counts were considered: 1,906 words (6.11% of overall word count) and 158 words (0.5% of overall word count), respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003ePresentation of Economic and Disability Impacts\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFifteen of the 40 articles presented both economic impacts and impacts on people with disability resulting from the NDIS reforms. Sixteen of the 40 articles (40%) focussed solely on the broader economic impacts on Australian society, whilst seven articles (17.5%) focussed exclusively on the impacts on people with disability. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurther analysis revealed eight of the 15 articles (53.3%) including both economic and disability impacts, presented the economic impacts first, whilst seven (46.7%) presented the impacts on people with disability first. A sub-analysis indicated the eight articles presenting economic impacts first, three (37.5%) were published in AFR.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc181731378\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFocus on Sex Supports\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSex work was the most commonly discussed form of sex support, appearing in 31 articles (77.5%). In contrast, sex therapy was the least discussed, being referenced in only 10% of articles.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of Thematic Analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe qualitative content analysis surrounding NDIS-funded sex work generated a total of five major themes, each reflecting distinct aspects of this discourse. As illustrated in Figure 7, the five themes were \u0026ndash; sexuality and disability, consequences of NDIS reforms on people with disability, sustainability of the NDIS, difficulties accessing and providing NDIS-funded sex work and, call for co-design in policy development.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheme 1: Sexuality and Disability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis theme highlighted the complexity between disability, sexuality and societal perceptions. The analysis revealed that people with disability face physical and societal barriers when attempting to engage in intimate relationships. The complication of these barriers leads to minimal opportunities for formation of intimate connections. The following subthemes emerged within this theme: \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eRecognition of sexual desires\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite common misconceptions that people with disabilities are non-sexual or lack sexual desires, advocates and individuals with a disability emphasise that sexual needs are as significant in the disabled community as they are in the non-disabled group. This is boldly illustrated these quotes: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;... yes, disabled people get horny too\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Barstow \u0026amp; Schnabel, 2024) and\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;It is reasonable for any adult to seek to experience sexual pleasure\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Holmes, 2024).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overt wording from Clem Bastow and Ali Schnabel reinforces the importance of sexuality in the disabled community, strongly opposing the misconception that people with disabilities do not have sexual desires. This one statement openly supports the need to support sexuality within the disabled community, suggesting this community is, in fact, no different to a \u0026lsquo;normal\u0026rsquo; community, as indicated by Holmes. This recognition is crucial for dismantling the ableist stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive view of sexuality that encompasses diverse experiences. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eDisability as a barrier to intimate relationships\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aforementioned barriers limiting individuals with disability can contribute to social isolation, further perpetuating little social interaction, \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;making companionship unattainable to people with disability\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Barstow \u0026amp; Schnabel, 2024). Stereotypes and attitudes towards physical disabilities, such as the idea that \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;nobody swipes right for people in power wheelchairs\u0026hellip;(and) for people with significant deformities\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Clayton, 2024), illustrate how barriers to intimacy are often imposed by societal stigmas. This subtheme emphasises the need for inclusive social spaces and attitudinal change to support intimacy for people with disabilities. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublic misconceptions of NDIS-funded sex work \u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe misconception that NDIS-funded sex services are inappropriate or exploitative contributes to stigmas that undermine their legitimate role in supporting sexual expression, thus resulting in resistance to funding. \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;I can\u0026apos;t see that [access to sex on the NDIS] as being something which the taxpayer thinks should be funded\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Holmes, 2024), is a prominent quote from the discourse, highlighting the resentment society \u0026lsquo;feels\u0026rsquo; as a result of NDIS-funded sex work. However, experts and advocates often attempt to dispel these myths, clarifying disability sex support is non-judgemental and does not fulfil salacious expectations, as portrayed in this quote \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;Nothing sexy is happening. There\u0026rsquo;s no flirting between me and the client beforehand\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Clayton, 2024). This subtheme emphasises the need for public education to foster a more informed and compassionate understanding of NDIS-funded sex work. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheme 2: Consequences of NDIS Reforms on People with Disability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis theme addressed concerns surrounding proposed changes to the NDIS that may restrict funding for sexual support, potentially compromising the wellbeing of people with disabilities. Analysis revealed that such reforms, though aimed at cost-cutting or appeasing public concerns, could have unintended consequences. Two subthemes highlighted these consequences: \u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eNegative impacts on holistic wellbeing \u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA common argument throughout the discourse was that reducing access to sex work \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;would reduce opportunities for touch and intimacy\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Evans, 2024). Intimacy and touch are crucial in ensuring wellbeing, particularly those who may experience isolation due to physical or social barriers. The unintended consequences of banning access to sex work may result in increased loneliness or depression and impact overall quality of life. This subtheme emphasises the need to consider the holistic health benefits of intimate and sexual support. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eAccess to support and social inclusion\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProposed reforms may limit participants\u0026rsquo; access to support, effectively excluding people with disabilities from engaging in society, increasing their marginalisation. This was evident by \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;[reforms would] severely restrict access to the NDIS and supports people with disability rely on... and make it harder for people with disability to participate in our schools, workplaces and communities\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (McIllroy, 2024a). This subtheme suggests policies aiming to restrict access could lead to further exclusion and reduce autonomy for people with disabilities. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheme 3: Sustainability of the NDIS\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis theme explored the economic and political justifications for proposed reforms, focussing on the perceived need to sustain the NDIS financially. Reform advocates, namely the politicians, noted a necessity to curb escalating costs and ensure long-term viability. However, critics argue limiting access to sexual services is unlikely to significantly impact the budget due to low numbers of participants requesting these services. Politicians emphasise rising costs within the NDIS make reforms necessary to ensure its longevity. \u0026nbsp;Without strategic changes, it is argued the scheme may become unsustainable, as conveyed by \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;If we don\u0026rsquo;t do something about the cost growth, there will be no NDIS\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (McIllroy, 2024b).This quote underscores the government\u0026rsquo;s focus on reducing expenditure to safeguard NDIS longevity. However, critics suggest cost-saving measures should be balanced with maintaining essential support services for participants. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough restricting sexual services under the NDIS is presented to reduce costs, evidence suggests that a minute proportion of participants actually utilise these services under the NDIS. Consequently, it can be inferred the impact on financial stability would be minimal, as most requests are denied. This can be seen from the \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;228 requests for sexual activity support in the 12 months to the end of April [were received], but \u0026ldquo;none were granted\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;(Kelly, 2024). The minimal impact on financial stability viewpoint is also shared by the President of Touching Base, Saul Isbister \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eIt has been put forward to garner support for the government in creating limitations on how services may be funded...But because of the low numbers involved, this in no way addresses the major issues of sustainability which the government is required to address\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Kelly, 2024). These quotes present a different perspective on the cost-cutting, by questioning whether the emphasis on cutting sexual services is more of a symbolic gesture than a practical solution, suggesting there may alternative and more meaningful cost-cutting avenues that should be explored. \u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheme 4: Difficulties accessing and providing NDIS-funded Sex Work\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis theme delved into the logistical and social challenges faced by both providers and receivers in the context of NDIS-funded sex work. Analysis indicates accessing these services requires navigating complex social dynamics and organisational processes, often involving multiple stakeholders. This can be summarised by the quote \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;[Accessing] intimacy services through the NDIS will often involve communication [with] occupational therapists, support workers and even sometimes the parents of the participant before they even meet the sex therapist.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Clayton, 2024). The complexity of access and stakeholder involvement can make it difficult for people with disabilities to autonomously access sexual services and for providers to create a supportive environment for clients, as quoted: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;\u0026hellip;have to be creative in a way that\u0026rsquo;s going to facilitate real human touch and intimacy while not hurting them\u0026hellip;, while also providing them with a space to reciprocate\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Clayton, 2024). People with disabilities who had engaged with a disability-informed sex worker also stated that that it was not easy to find sex workers who understood this concern, as stated in \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;I\u0026apos;ve been fortunate enough to find a sex worker who understands trauma and disability\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026quot;Try a little tenderness regarding NDIS sex work,\u0026quot; 2024). The sensitivity associated with these concerns suggests greater training and awareness is required in the field to adequately support clients with diverse need. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheme 5: Call for Co-Design in Policy Development\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis theme captured the call from advocates and individuals with disabilities for greater involvement in policy-making processes. The analysis reveals that many believe policies related to sexuality and disability should be co-designed with people who have lived experience to ensure comprehensiveness and respectfulness. There was further discussion that the holistic wellbeing of people on the NDIS were not being considered in the making of the reforms. Advocates argue the NDIS needs to consider the full spectrum of wellbeing, which includes sexual health and personal connection, when making policy decisions, as indicated in: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;...needs to be looked at in the deeper sense of the mental health and the physical health of people who need to engage with sexual services through the NDIS\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Evans, 2024). Participants currently feel current reforms do not adequately consider these aspects and thus feel these reforms are inadvertently harmful. Consequently, there is a strong demand for co-design regarding NDIS policies, an important concept conveyed in: \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;...commit the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to co-designing with the disability community a comprehensive sexuality policy that acknowledges and respects the diverse sexual and intimacy needs of people with disability\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e (Holmes, 2024). Advocates argue consultation with people with disabilities in policy changes will result in more effective and compassionate policies, reinforcing the need to recognise the voices and lived experiences within the disability community to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are acknowledged and met. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined the representation of people with disability in the Australian media discourse surrounding disability and sex. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of 40 Australian news articles revealed politicians had the greatest representation, followed by people with disability, then academics. Politicians dominated the discourse with 4,982 words, compared to people with disabilities with 2,614 words, accentuating a gap in media amplification of disabled voices on issues directly impacting their lives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis disparity in representation supports the study’s hypothesis: the perspectives of people with disabilities – those most affected by the proposed reforms – are underrepresented in media coverage. The limited representation not only affects public understanding but also reinforces societal misconceptions around disability and sexuality. The societal stigma that people with disabilities are not sexual or lack sexual needs has been challenged in existing literature, arguing that societal barriers can be more disabling than physical impairments when expressing sexuality (Neufeld et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e; Sakellariou, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Women With Disabilities Australia, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Additionally, the minimal representation of people with disability perpetuates stigmatising stereotypes, such as the disabled community being non-sexual (Esmail et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Evident from the news articles analysed, societal misconceptions continue to affect people with disability and the types of services they are allowed to access under the NDIS.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe thematic analysis revealed that whilst people with disabilities had input in all themes identified within the discourse, Theme 3 “Sustainability of the NDIS” was predominantly presented by the politicians. The only exception was Jordon Steele-John, a politician living with a disability, who discussed the dire impacts the NDIS reforms would have on the disabled community. This focus underscores the perception of disability-related support as financially burdensome, a stigma that is reminiscent of the traditional business model of disability, which views accessibility as costly to society (Burns \u0026amp; Haller, 2015; Power, 2007). The minimal and restricted voice of the disabled community suggests the concerns of most politicians consulted and referenced did not align with that of people with disability. The concerns of people with disability, who emphasised the holistic importance of sexual support for wellbeing, were overshadowed by political narratives focussed on fiscal sustainability. The exception of Jordan Steele-John, who advocated for the disabled community’s interests despite being a politician, notably highlights the disconnect between typical political priorities and the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Through active representation and lived experiences within parliament, the societal barriers that emerge from the lack of disability representation can be overcome. This may lead to greater access in support, especially regarding sexuality and sex work within the disabled community. This continues to be in line with the social model of disability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding the word content analysis, AFR, including AFR Online publications represented the greatest number of media publications analysed. This peak suggests the media discourse was primarily focussed on the escalating costs and long-term sustainability of the NDIS. However, in comparison to other sources analysed, a false narrative of the ballooning NDIS cost is present in the AFR articles, evident by the additional cost of NDIS-funded sex services. This supports the notion that the immateriality of the overall cost of NDIS-funded sex services had been turned into a pub-test issue.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, this study found that misconceptions surrounding the intricacies of NDIS-funded sex work persist due to limited media engagement with individuals who have lived experiences. Only a minute number of news articles analysed consulted with someone who accesses or provides these services. This lack of consultation contributes to a narrow portrayal of disability and sexuality, thus missing opportunities to witness how people with disability truly interact and engage with their sexuality and the supports they require to fully express it. The strong focus on justifying NDIS-funded sex work as “reasonable and necessary” meant that these articles neglected to explore the concept of “choice and control” people under the NDIS should have when utilising the scheme. The lack of intersectional awareness in media reporting risks fostering policies that fail to address the diverse needs within the disabled community, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach when instigating new policies. Without accurate portrayal of the complexities surrounding disability and sexuality, media coverage may inadvertently influence public opinion in ways that do not support or respect the autonomy of people with disabilities, leading to a non-committal approach to the principle of “choice and control”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA consistently conveyed need from people with disabilities and their advocates was a call for co-design in policy making. Co-design, involving people with disabilities in decisions affecting them, would have a significant positive impact on the disabled community by ensuring policy changes align with their actual needs and experiences (People with Disability Australia, 2024; Queenslanders Disability Network, n.d.). In the context of NDIS reforms, a co-designed approach could empower people with disabilities by allowing them to shape policies that support their full participation in society and benefit the disabled community as a whole (People with Disability Australia, 2024;) (Fraser-Barbour et al., 2023; Sarmiento-Pelayo, 2015). By implementing co-designed policies, policymakers can create frameworks that genuinely support the wellbeing of people with disabilities and reflect their rights to dignity and self-determination and ultimately promote inclusion, equity and a more positive perception of disability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLimitations\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study provided a snapshot of Australian news media coverage within a very limited, though highly active, timeframe of six months, capturing the immediate media response to the proposed NDIS reforms banning sex work access in NDIS packages. The findings may not fully represent the ongoing media discourse as the reforms are implemented and debated further. Additionally, this study solely focussed on print and online news publications, excluding other forms of media, such as social media platforms, discussion forums and blogs. Although traditional news outlets are widely trusted and reach a diverse readership, emerging digital platforms offer valuable insights into public sentiment and may present a broader range of perspectives, though may vary in reliability. Moreover, the reliance on Factiva for sourcing articles may have led to some publications being missed if they were not indexed in the database.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommendations\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFuture research should continue tracking media coverage as the proposed NDIS reforms are implemented, to identify any shifts in representation of people with disabilities. Expanding the scope of publication sources to include social media platforms, discussion forums and blogs could also lead to a wider variety of viewpoints, potentially offering a more nuanced understanding of public opinion and self-advocacy within the disabled community.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results of this study underscore the influential role journalists and media outlets have in shaping public perceptions of disability and their sexuality. To address the gaps identified, it is recommended journalists prioritise incorporating the voices of people with disability when covering political issues impacting the disabled community. By amplifying their perspectives, the media can promote a more inclusive and empathetic discourse, challenging stereotypes and advocating for policies that respect the rights, dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Furthermore, media organisations could consider training journalists on disability-inclusive reporting, encouraging sensitivity toward the intersectional challenges faced by people with disabilities. Such training can equip journalists to report on disability-related topics in ways that foster understanding and dismantle societal barriers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLastly, adopting a co-design approach in policymaking will ensure NDIS reforms genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of the disabled community.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion and Policy Implications","content":"\u003cp\u003eSexuality is a fundamental human right. Everyone, regardless of the presence of a disability, deserves the opportunity to fully participate in life, including the freedom to explore and express their sexuality safely. The NDIS has the potential to empower people with disabilities by supporting and advocating for the choice and control of their participants, including in areas related to their sexual wellbeing. Continuing to fund sexuality supports under the NDIS is essential to uphold this right and to recognise the diverse needs within the disabled community. For this to be achieved, the NDIA should prioritise a co-design approach so to promote greater inclusivity. By embracing the voices of the disabled community in policymaking, Australia can take meaningful steps toward a society where every individual has the support and freedom to live with autonomy and respect.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflicts of interest/Competing interests\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and material\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot applicable\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCode availability (software application or custom code)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e((sex therapy) OR (sex support) OR (sex work) OR (sex services) AND (access) AND (NDIS)) \u0026ndash; used in Factiva.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026apos; contributions\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Author 1, and Author 3. Author 2 and Author 6 supported with the protocol design, supervision, review of the coding framework and analysis. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Author 1, and Author 2 and Author 6 reviewed and edited versions of the manuscript. Author 5 provided the policy lens for the manuscript and reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEthical approval was not required for this study as it was a secondary analysis of media reports.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnderson, R. M. (2013). 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(2013). \u003cem\u003eDisabling Barriers - Enabling Environments\u003c/em\u003e (3 ed.): SAGE Publications Ltd.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTepper, M. S. (2000). Sexuality and Disability: The Missing Discourse of Pleasure. \u003cem\u003eSexuality and Disability, 18\u003c/em\u003e(4), 283-290. doi:10.1023/A:1005698311392\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry a little tenderness regarding NDIS sex work. (2024, 18 July 2024).\u003cem\u003e The Newcastle Herald\u003c/em\u003e. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (2006 13 December).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVehmas, S. (2019). Persons with profound intellectual disability and their right to sex. \u003cem\u003eDisability \u0026amp; Society, 34\u003c/em\u003e(4), 519-539. doi:10.1080/09687599.2018.1545110\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisser, K., Slattery, M., \u0026amp; Stewart, V. (2021). Help or hinder? 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Retrieved from Hobart, Tasmania\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"NDIS, Australia, policy, disability, sex services","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eIntroduction\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince 2020, funding of sex supports has been considered an appropriate service as part of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) packages in Australia. Former NDIS Minister, Bill Shorten, announced in July 2024 that specialised sex services will no longer be available with NDIS funding, leading to an influx of media discourse.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to analyse this media discourse between February and August 2024 and understand the diversity of expert representation, the reach of the articles, and explore how sex services were interpreted in the coverage. It was hypothesised that people with disability are underrepresented in news media focussing on these changes to NDIS support. In total, 347 articles were identified: 200 were duplicates and three were not news articles, leaving 144 for screening. These articles were double screened by the assessors, leaving 40 articles for inclusion. The data extracted underwent content and statistical analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eResults illustrated a narrow breadth of expert representation, with heavily skewed political representation, poor sex-related terminology presented and discussed, and five prominent themes and subthemes identified.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis treatise highlights continued bias in media representation of disability-related issues and the need for greater guidance for journalists in how to best write media articles related to political issues surrounding people with disabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePolicy Implications\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study seeks to guide policymakers on the importance of the co-design process with the disabled community to ensure future reforms to the NDIS will meet and acknowledge the complex needs of people with disability.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Media Discourse Surrounding Removal of NDIS Funding from Sex Services: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-08 06:36:55","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7046923/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e796e311-6d2b-441a-8443-bce79e66e073","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 8th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-08T17:08:31+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-08 06:36:55","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7046923","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7046923","identity":"rs-7046923","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}