October 2021 Newsletter

Hey {{ FirstName | default: 'Friend' }} - welcome to DSHN's first monthly Network Newsletter! In this email we will cover:

  • What is DSHN?
  • Network Updates
  • Resources
  • Upcoming Events

You can always connect with us in other ways, too:

What is DSHN?

The Disability-inclusive Sexual Health Network (DSHN) is a multi-disciplinary network of Virginia-based organizations and youth developing and testing innovative projects that advance inclusive sexual health, education, and access for youth with disabilities (ages 10-22) across the state.

In these monthly emails, we will share Network updates, opportunities to get involved, disability-inclusive sexual health resources and events, action items, and spotlights on our different partners. Feel free to send us things to be included in the newsletter at dshn@jmu.edu.

We may also occasionally send specific information for to your role as a self-advocate, parent, educator, etc. So know that whenever an email from DSHN hits your inbox, it will hold lots of relevant information.

Network Updates

 

DSHN Innovation Partners

disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV)  //  Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS)  //  Parent Education Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)  //  Partnership for People with Disabilities (PPD)  //  Special Olympics Virginia (SOVa)  //  Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership (SVAP)  //  The Arc of Harrisonburg & Rockingham  //  The Arc of Augusta  //  Virginia League for Planned Parenthood (VLPP)

 

Our partners' disability-inclusive sexual health projects address a range of audiences and needs. By working with youth, parents, educators, health and service providers, non-profits, and law & advocacy centers, we are hoping to reach youth with disabilities through many avenues. A diversity of innovative programming -- from live and virtual puppet shows on sexual health topics (The Arcs of August and Harrisonburg & Rockingham), to training parents and youth (PEATC, SVAP, SOVa) and teachers (VLPP, HCPS), to policy guides and Know Your Rights fact sheets (dLCV), to violence prevention workshops (PPD) -- will also help us figure out what works best for the youth we serve.

 

Check out the Partner page on the DSHN website to learn more about each of these organizations and the projects they're developing. If you are interested in learning more about or getting involved with any projects, reach out to the organization(s) via the contact info provided!

 

Call for Innovation Partners to join DSHN

DSHN is looking for Innovation Partners to join our growing statewide Network. Selected Innovation Partners will receive up to $50,000 in funding, along with support, training, and technical assistance from SexEdVA staff; connect and collaborate with fellow Innovation Partners; and engage with key stakeholders. Review the Call for Innovation Partners to learn more. Letters of interest are due October 15, 2021.

Questions? Come to our virtual information session via this Zoom link on Thurs 10/7 @ 9am and reach us by email at dshn@jmu.edu.

 

DSHN Youth Advisory Board

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a driven, innovative, diverse group of individuals dedicated to promoting the sexual health of the disability community. This passionate team of young people works alongside DSHN "to promote positive rhetoric surrounding disability and to help promote the sexual health and improve the lives of disabled people by raising awareness and challenging current systems to promote improved sexual health of disabled people" and "to shatter the stereotype that disabled people don't or cannot have healthy relationships." As a group of youth who identify either as someone with a disability or with a close connection to someone with a disability, their perspectives and lived experiences drive DSHN's work.  The Youth Advisors believe in the transformative power of sexual health education, which Sam says "emphasizes the individuality of disabled persons and their autonomy over their own thoughts, wants, and actions." By meeting and connecting regularly, the YAB has become an inclusive and welcoming community where they feel comfortable asking questions, learning from one another, and "educating while also being educated." Although this group of youth is full of "different backgrounds and experiences, we are all advocating for the same thing: inclusive, accurate, and accessible sexual health education in Virginia and beyond."

 

Resources

Each month we will share 3-4 of our favorite resources with you (sometimes they will be themed)! Please reach out to dshn@jmu.edu anytime for more resources on any specific topic, or to share resources that you think others would find useful.

Multnomah County Health Department logo

The Sexual Health Equity for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (SHEIDD) website hosts lots of resources on comprehensive sexual health education for young people with I/DD. We want to highlight their Video collection which provides fun and accessible videos to inform and spark conversation with young people about relationships and sexuality.

Sexuality for All Abilities logo

Mad Hatter Wellness creates comprehensive sexual health education programming that educates, trains, and empowers people with intellectual disabilities and their support systems.  Two of our partners, Special Olympics of Virginia and PEATC, use the Sexuality for All Abilities curriculum in their interventions.

Elevatus Training logo

Elevatus Training offers evidence and trauma-informed curriculum, online training, in services, and workshops for sexuality education for people with developmental disabilities to help professionals, educators, self-advocates and parents. Many of our partners use Elevatus' curriculum and/or trainings including VLPP, HCPS, and SVAP.

Love is respect .org logo

Love is Respect is a great resource for parents to use on their own and with youth. This website works to engage, educate, and empower youth to have healthy relationships and end relationships that are unhealthy or abusive.

Upcoming Events

Every month we will highlight a few events relevant to disability-inclusive sexual health and education. Follow our Google Calendar to view these and many more events, updated often!

Are you aware of or hosting an event you think would be relevant? Send/forward event info to dshn@jmu.edu!

DSHN Call for Innovation Partners Virtual Info Session -- Thurs 10/7, 9-10am EDT, Free

Mad Hatter Wellness Events

Parent & Caregiver Support Call -- 10/12, 9-10pm EDT, Free

Educator Support Call - Trauma-Informed Resources -- 10/21, 5-6pm EDT, Free

Educator Support Call - Answering Difficult Questions -- 11/9, 5-6pm, Free


Happy Trans Empowerment Month! Check out the
Trans Information and Empowerment Summit with Diversity Virginia (10/20-23) and a month of diverse programming for Trans Empowerment Month from Stand With Trans

Anatomy of an IEP -- Wed 10/13, 7-8pm EDT, Free

Like a biology lesson, this presentation will dissect the parts of the IEP document and examine their functions individually, learning their meanings and application. It will provide constructive and practical tips to help create an IEP that supports all the student's needs.

Understanding the Dynamics of Cyberbullying Technology and our Youth -- Fri 10/15, 12-1pm EDT, Free

The use of technology has increased instances of cyberbullying. Individuals with disabilities are at a greater risk of being cyberbullied and cyberbullying has raised new challenges for students, parents, school administrators, and law enforcement. During this interactive workshop, we will define what cyberbullying is, explore the types of cyberbullying, the motivations behind cyberbullying and the warning signs to look out for. We will also learn tips and strategies to protect vulnerable individuals from being cyberbullied.

Universal Sexuality: An Inclusive Approach to Sexuality and Disability -- Fri 10/15,  11-1pm EDT, $0-40

This program will focus on the foundations of sexuality and gender-based counseling for individuals with disabilities and how a universal approach to sexuality and gender is applicable to individuals with disabilities, like how universal technology applies to all people. Using the lens of inclusivity, this program will discuss approaches to discussing sexuality and gender, challenges specific to individuals with disabilities regarding sexuality and gender, and will emphasize the importance of practitioner training in the area of disability.

What is Going On?! An Intro to Puberty and Sexuality -- Mon 10/18, 5:30-6:30pm EDT, Free

For parents/caregivers, community and therapists supporting youth with autism. This presentation will teach you how to use behavioural strategies to prepare for, and minimize, the challenges associated with puberty for teens with autism. We will also discuss how to talk about sexuality with your pre-teens and teens.

Growing up, Sex and Relationships -- Tues 10/19, 2:30-4:30pm EDT, Free

A workshop for parent carers - exploring how best to support your child with additional needs through puberty and the teenage years

Love Abilities Virtual Sexuality & Disability Festival -- Wed Oct 20 - Fri Oct 22, sessions between 11-8pm EDT, £37.24, 18+

Three days of sessions for people with disabilities (PWD) who want access to their bodies for pleasure, love, intimacy, and reproductive rights. Our mission? To provide people with all types of disabilities the knowledge, skills, and resources to take pleasure in their sexuality and to clear a pathway for optimal sexual expression. Our vision? People with disabilities will be empowered to lead the fullest sexual lives possible; and for their caregivers, lovers and allies to help support or be part of their life.

Successful Transition Planning and the IEP -- Thurs 10/21, 11am-12pm

For parents and students aged 14 and older, this workshop will encourage active participation in developing a meaningful and useful transition plan to help in preparing for life as an adult when they finish school. It will tell you what needs to be in the transition plan, and what the law (IDEA) says about transition services. The transition plan is part of the IEP for students in Virginia who are age 14 and over.

PEPSA: Sexuality & ASD - Supporting Middle School Students -- Thurs 10/21, 6:30-7:30 EDT, Free

This training will provide information and suggested strategies for school personnel supporting middle school-aged students with ASD who may be engaging in sexually maladaptive behavior at school including: touching others without permission, attempting to masturbate, unwanted attempts to engage in romantic relationships, and difficulty understanding physical boundaries with others. Examples of intervention plans and suggestions for program development will be discussed in addition to recommendations for: differentiating various types of friendships, developing personal safety plans, and assisting students in avoiding behavior defined as sexual harassment. This training is for teachers, parents, caretakers, and professionals only. It is not appropriate for children, youth, or adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

What, Wait! You Want Me to Talk About Sexuality? -- Mon 11/1, 1-3pm EDT, Free

Healthy relationship boundaries are an important skill. We'll explore tips and tools for addressing sexuality with people you work with.

 

Sexuality and Disability - The Tea Room Series by Royal Rehab

Join the Royal Rehab Sexuality Service for an online series of presentations, conversations, and interactive learning about sex, sexuality and disability, aimed at health professionals working in the area of rehabilitation and disability. The Tea Room Series includes 6 online sessions. Each stand alone in content.

#1: Female Sexuality Following Acquired Brain Injury -- Tues 10/19, 9:30-10:30pm EDT, $27.19

Following this professional development event participants will be able to articulate the gendered nature of ABI, understand the specific and unique sexual concerns for women following ABI, have a framework for addressing sexuality with women, learn through case study and critical reflection, have an opportunity for discussion with specialists in the field of sexuality and disability.

#2: Inclusive Rehabilitation -- Wed 10/27, 9:30-10:30pm EDT, $27.19

Following this professional development event participants will be able to explain what LGBTQIA+ stands for, understand the specific and unique needs for effectively providing inclusive rehabilitation with the LGBTQIA+ community, critique the importance of affirming gender and pronouns, have an opportunity for discussion with specialists in the field of sexuality and disability.

#3: Sexual Scripts 101 -- Tues 11/2, 9:30-10:30pm EDT, $27.19

Sexual scripts knowledge is the foundational concept for effective sexuality support in the area of sexuality, disability and rehabilitation. Following this professional development event participants will be able to develop an understanding of what a sexual script is, critique the challenges and opportunities to widen a sexual script, critique the impact of ableism and internalized heteronormative sexual behaviors have on sexual scripts.

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November 2021 Newsletter