This project investigates how the sexual rights of persons with disabilities can be meaningfully realized through coordinated change in law, policy, and technology. The main objectives are to:

• Document and analyze lived experiences of persons with disabilities regarding sexuality, intimacy, and pleasure, identifying barriers and needs.

• Map and critically assess international, EU, and Dutch legal and policy frameworks to understand how sexual rights are recognized—or neglected—in disability and health law.

• Examine the potential of assistive and sexual technologies to support intimacy and autonomy, and define the ethical, legal, and design conditions for their responsible use.

Together, these objectives will inform inclusive care practices and technology governance models that uphold sexual rights as an integral part of human dignity.

The project uses a participatory and interdisciplinary approach, combining:

• Empirical research: surveys, interviews, and participatory workshops with persons with disabilities;

• Legal and policy analysis: comparative review of international, EU, and Dutch frameworks and case law;

• Technology assessment: evaluation of assistive and sexual robotics and their potential role in care;

• Co-creation and stakeholder engagement: collaboration with disability organizations, policymakers, and technology developers.

The research is guided by a Theory of Change methodology — tracing how change can occur across systems and identifying practical levers for inclusion and justice.

This project builds the first structured, interdisciplinary research agenda on sexual rights and disability within the context of law, care, and robotics. It contributes to:

• Disability studies and health law, by articulating how sexual rights can be realized in practice;

• Science-for-tech-policy scholarship, by providing empirical evidence for inclusive policy design;

• Human–robot interaction research, by exploring the ethical and social dimensions of assistive sexual technologies;

• Innovation governance, by demonstrating how technology can serve justice, dignity, and inclusion.

The results will inform policymakers, care providers, and technology developers through publications, policy briefs, inclusive design guidelines, and educational toolkits.

Sex, Care & Robots builds on previous research exploring the opportunities robotic technologies offer in supporting intimacy. 

• Fosch-Villaronga, E. & Poulsen, A. (2020) Sex Care Robots. Exploring the potential use of sexual robot technologies for disabled and eldercare. Paladyn Journal of Behavioral Robotics, 11(1). DOI link (https://doi.org/10.1515/pjbr-2020-0001) 

• Fosch-Villaronga, E. & Poulsen, A. (2021) Sex Robots in Care. Setting the Stage for a Discussion on the Potential Use of Sex Robots for Persons with Disabilities. ACM HRI 2021 (ALT.HRI Track). DOI link (https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3434074.3446907)

• Rigotti, C. & Fosch-Villaronga, E. (2025) Sex Robots and the AI Act: Opening the Regulatory Discussion. IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine. DOI link (https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2025.3590611)