Keynote Address - Day 1

Let's Talk About Sexcess

People living with an intellectual disability experience the same sexual needs, and have the same desires, as all of us.  Why is it that they experience so many challenges in meeting their needs?  Let's talk about what parents, family members and professionals can do to ensure that all persons are seen as sexual beings -- and that they receive necessary information and sexuality education.

Danny Soucy  

Danny Soucy is a special consultant with the New Brunswick Association for Community Living and a highly-respected presenter on the topic of sexuality and people with intellectual disabilities.   For many years, he was Executive Director of the Grand Falls Association for Community Living.  In September 2003, he started his own consulting business and has traveled nationally and internationally (e.g., Africa) speaking on disability-related issues.    

 

Keynote Address - Day 2

Ten Lessons About Sexuality & Intellectual Disabilities:  What the Research

Tells Us!

Dr. Lunsky will reflect upon her research in the intellectual disability field over the past 15 years on sexuality, relationships, sexual knowledge and attitudes.  She will summarize some of the most important empirical findings; and will consider the clinical and support implications for promoting healthy sexuality in the people we serve.

Dr. Yona Lunsky  

Yona Lunsky, Ph.D, C.Psych. is the Research Section Head  in the Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto (Department of Psychiatry).  She has written numerous professional articles and book chapters; and is the co-author of the Socio-Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Assessment Tool used widely in the field.

8:30-9:00 -- Registration

9:00-9:15 -- Welcome

9:15-10:30 -- Keynote address

Let's Talk About Sexcess

People living with an intellectual disability experience the same sexual needs, and have the same desires, as all of us.  Why is it that they experience so many challenges in meeting their needs?  Let's talk about what parents, family members and professionals can do to ensure that all persons are seen as sexual beings -- and that they receive necessary information and sexuality education.

Danny Soucy  

10:30-10:45 -- Break

10:45-Noon

You’re the One:  Finding the Sexpert Within

This session will focus on front-line workers -- helping them find the sexpert within!  Emphasis will be on raising the sexuality awareness of support workers as it relates to their role, comfort, information and professional self-care.

Mark Benner

Noon-1:00 -- Lunch

1:00-2:30

Acting OUT?  Working Collaboratively with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People with Intellectual Disabilities.

SprOUT is a new collaborative community project funded by the Trillium Foundation for LGBT people with intellectual disabilities across Ontario.  Operated through the Griffin Center in north Toronto, this project has found that the most helpful approaches, often are arts-based, incorporating role plays and forum theatre.  Focusing on practical examples, this presentation will highlight creative ways of working with LGBT people.

Zack Marshall, Tess Vo, Jay Siao, Romeo Pierre 

 

2:30-4:00

Panel

Focusing on Families:  Recognizing the Importance of Sexuality         

Sexual relations?  Marriage?  Pregnancy? Sexual orientation?  These topics often raise deep anxieties, confusion and fear in families of people with developmental disabilities. In this session, family members will discuss key issues important to families; what their children have taught them about the challenges and joys of sexuality; and ways service organizations can help. 

Dale Munro (Moderator)

Danny Soucy, Jean Wright, Pamela Young

9:00-9:30

Ten Lessons About Sexuality & Intellectual Disabilities:  What the Research

Tells Us!

Dr. Lunsky will reflect upon her research in the intellectual disability field over the past 15 years on sexuality, relationships, sexual knowledge and attitudes.  She will summarize some of the most important empirical findings; and will consider the clinical and support implications for promoting healthy sexuality in the people we serve.

Dr. Yona Lunsky  

10:30-10:45-- Break

10:45-Noon -

Panel:  The Social Sexual Interest Network (SSIN)

Creative Ways to Engage in Social-Sexual Education

The SSIN is a network of people from many agencies in Southern Ontario who are interested in sharing the most current social-sexual resources, with people they support who have an intellectual disability.  Members of the SSIN believe every person has the right to current information regarding sexuality and social skills.  Information should be made available to everyone in a way that is most helpful to her/his ability to learn.  The panel will share experiences and creative ways to teach and share social-sexual information.

Peggy Corrigan-Dench (moderator)

Angie Case-McIntosh, Jerry Knight, Cindy Rouse, Eke Schweitzer, Jen Bootsma

 

Noon-1:15 -- Lunch and Award Presentation

 

1:15-2:15

Sex Toys for All!

This session will provide participants with a fun and informative "show and tell" update on sex toys, with an emphasis on how sex toys can be used by people with intellectual disabilities to explore their sexuality with greater privacy and safety.  Participants will gain knowledge on resources, and learn about the potential for sex toys as tools of empowerment for people.

Cory Silverberg

2:15-2:30 -- Break

2:30-3:45

You've Got The Power:  Mastering the Art of Self-care

During this lively, interactive session, Rosita will challenge participants to realize that their greatest asset (their health) can be their most powerful resource or their weakest link.  She will walk you through seven self-care techniques, that if applied on a regular basis will decrease your stress level and awaken you to continued success emotionally, mentally physically and spiritually.  Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the ride of a life-time.

Rosita Hall