Community Workshop
Pleasure is For Every Body: An Exploration of Sex and Disability
Presented by: Kaleigh Trace and Thyra Calvert
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
1:00 - 4:30 PM
Rozanski Hall
RM 105
For many of us, accessing sexual pleasure can be complicated. Figuring out what we like and how we like it takes time and practice. These sometimes confounding learning experiences are especially pronounced for those of us who have disabilities. People with disabilities have to navigate external pressures (ableist ideas about our bodies and sexuality) as well as internal differences (such as limited mobility and chronic pain) that can sometimes make accessing our sexuality feel nearly impossible.
This training has two intentions : to explore the barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing sexual pleasure and autonomy, and to suggest ways that healthcare providers can help in dismantling these barriers. Participants will leave with practical tools to aid them in discussing sexuality with their clients, as well as an increased knowledge about physical positioning, adaptive technology and sex toys that can improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Please note: Disability is a wide and beautiful spectrum. While many of the tools and knowledge conveyed in this training may be applicable to folks living with a range of disabilities, this session will focus specifically on people living with physical disabilities.
Your Presenters
Kaleigh Trace
Kaleigh Trace works with words and dildos.
With words, Kaleigh writes about shameless sex of all kinds, for all kinds. Her first book, Hot, Wet & Shaking came out in 2014 and won the Evelyn Richardson Award. With dildos, Kaleigh has been teaching sex education workshops for the last 9 years. Her particular focus of interest is on the intersection of pleasure, disability and vulnerability.
Thyra Calvert
Thyra Calvert (she/they) is a relational therapist, Certified Canadian Counsellor, educator, facilitator, and disability activist.
In her private practice (thyracalvert.com), Thyra works from feminist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed frameworks to support clients and to advocate alongside individuals who are systemically oppressed.
In her education work, Thyra develops sexuality workshops both for folks with disabilities, and for mental health professionals who are looking to build their competency around supporting disabled people in exploring sexuality. She has presented lectures at major universities, and developed and teaches the course, Sexual Health and Well-Being, which centres the voices and experiences of marginalized folks.
Registration Scholarship
The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences is pleased to be sponsoring five participant registrations to the Community Workshop: Pleasure is for Every Body: An Exploration of Sex and Disability. On this, the 40th anniversary of the conference, we would like for these scholarships to reflect our values as we strive to be accessible and inclusive. We encourage applications from the CSAHS community, from anyone experiencing financial barriers to attendance, and from all those excited and/or affected by the topics of pleasure, sex, and disability.
To apply, send a letter of application to m.gaouette@uoguelph.ca by Friday, May 25. Your submission will be one page in length (max 250 words) and will outline your community involvement, how funding will assist you, and the impact this workshop will have on your current work or future plans.
Registration
Registration for this event is now closed. Join our email information list and we'll email you when the next community workshop is scheduled.