On The Couch: Accessibility is Sexy: The Intersection of Sex Work and Disability with Saul Isbister and Katia Schwartz from Touching Base

Join Maddy and Winnie in conversation with Saul Isbister and Katia Schwartz from Touching Base as they explore intimacy, disability, sex work and the dignity to say yes.

Drawing on lived experience and decades of advocacy, Saul and Katia explore the intersection of disability and sex work, challenging common misconceptions while unpacking the stigma, discrimination and barriers experienced across both communities. Hear Katia reflect on her experiences as a deaf, disabled sex worker, and Saul share how Touching Base has spent more than 25 years building understanding between the disability and sex work sectors through education, training and advocacy.

Together, they explore why intimacy, pleasure, connection and bodily autonomy are fundamental to wellbeing, and how sex workers can support communication, consent, confidence and access for people with disability.

Saul and Katia leave listeners with a powerful reminder that genuine accessibility includes access and support to sexual expression, physical intimacy and the dignity to say yes.

This episode was recorded in September 2026

CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references ableism, whorephobia and sexual abuse.

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Recommendations

• Touching Base

• Scarlet Alliance National Sex Workers Association

• Physical intimacy is a human right - not an ‘extra’ campaign

• Scarlet Road Documentary

• Dr Rachel Wotton

• Julie Bates AO

• ancestry.com

• Auslan

• Family Planning NSW

• John Blades – The Too Hard Basket

On The Couch episodes & resources mentioned:

• Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee

• LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers

• Sex, Disability & Human Rights with Rachel Wotton & Mohammed Samrah

• Co Culture Communications

More:

• Subscribe to Caddyshack Project e-newsletter

• Caddyshack Project on LinkedIn

• Caddyshack Project on Instagram

• Caddyshack Project on Goodreads

• What We’re Reading: an online library of book recommendations

• Play Safe: an online safe sex, STI testing and condom education resource for young people in NSW

• Play Safe Pro: an online sexual health education resource for professionals who are working with young people in NSW

• Sexual Health InfoLink: a sexual health nurse-led NSW Health Service including a free telephone line for health professionals and the general public

Credits

Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson

Guest: Saul Isbister & Katia Schwartz

Producers: Maddy Stratten, Winnie Adamson & Diana Karamacoska

Live Technical Producers: Maddy Reid

Editing: Winnie Adamson

Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)

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