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The Committee
E x c h a n g e
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Published by The Committee on Sexuality
Advocating for People With Developmental Disabilities
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Spring/Summer 2001
Volume 20
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President's Message
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By Holly Wade
As we face our new millennium we must celebrate the progress that has been made in the area of sexuality and disability. But we must also remember the shortcomings of the last century and make a plan for the future. For individuals with developmental disabilities we have seen a movement toward inclusion in schools, the workplace and in their communities. We have supported and fought for the closure of segregated settings and institutions and we have fought and realized the end of forced sterilization laws in the state of California. As we move toward these inclusive environments, we must remember that within these settings individuals with developmental disabilities need to be informed about social success. Our culture continues to exclude its members with disabilities from relationships and intimacy, we have relegated those roles to those without disabilities. Unfortunately, the voices of individuals with developmental disabilities ask for something very different. Are we prepared to embrace and listen to the desires of individuals with developmental disabilities with regard to their sexuality and relationships?
We must prepare in this new century to listen to the members of our culture with developmental disabilities. But listening will be only the first step, once we ask, we must be prepared to support. We must continue to develop social contexts where members with developmental disabilities are valued. We must provide information and sexuality education to all individuals and support the lifelong learning process that is involved.
Ultimately, we must teach our children, their families and members of the community that sexuality is an integral part of the human experience regardless of perceived levels of intelligence. We must recognize that it is our duty to change the landscape for individuals with developmental disabilities; they deserve to be respected and valued, not exploited and victimized.
It is our hope that The Committeeís efforts will continue to support programs and information dissemination that will move us forward in creating a world where everyone has a right to love and be loved.
Safe, legal and truthful
Published by The Committee on Sexuality:
Advocating for People with Developmental Disabilities
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In This Issue:
1) Call for Programs —Symposium 2002
2) Parent Support Network
3) Using the Person - Centered Planning Guide
4) In Loving Memory...
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Dave Hingsburger Wows Participants at our 23rd Annual Symposium!
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Dave Hingsburger, Canadian, well known author, sexuality counselor & advocate, champion for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities & hilarious comic kicked off the Committee's annual meeting in January, 2001, Oakland, CA. His keynote title: "Strippers, Flatbackers, Dildos, Orgasms and other things that are None of our Business: Healthy Sexuality, Personal Privacy and other things we owe People with Disabilities" accurately reflected the tone of his engaging presentation. His message has an edge--confronting, funny, full of pathos, truth and challenge how services are delivered to people with disabilities. Do we listen? Do we have the guts to get out of the way? How can we respect, facilitate and pave the way for truly equal rights!!?
With a large audience of over 200 participating professionals, parents, care providers, and persons with disabilities, Dave held the group spellbound for over 2 hours. He has kindly agreed to return to our 2002 Symposium, Santa Clara, Feb. 7-9, so if you are kicking yourselves for not attending the 2001 meeting, here's your second chance!
Other highlights of the 3-day meeting included:
*Participatory values work led by Bonnie Bernell, noted author, therapist and former Committee Board President, & film: "Board and Care"
*20 small workshop presentations with experts in the field sharing materials, strategies and resources.
*Excellent luncheon presentations each day, by persons with developmental disabilities: Hallie Long from San Francisco, and Leroy Moore, poet from San Francisco. These sessions captured our hearts and astounded our minds!
*A social dance with food, friendship and lots of networking & fun. Music by Danny Courtney, DJ
*On display was a section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, honoring individuals who were hearing impaired and lost their lives to AIDS, provided by the NAMES project.
*An art show sponsored by Creative Growth, Oakland, featuring artists with developmental disabilities
*A Skills Training Day, focusing on Person Centered Planning and Sexuality
Plan not to miss the 2002 meeting! Probably the most important feedback consistently discussed and valued after each Symposium is how the participants experience a renewal of energy, a revival of commitment to help the service delivery system, and all people become more aware of and accountable for the fact that all people are sexual beings and must be offered appropriate education, counseling, and opportunities for social-sexual expression!
Remember, the Committee is a group of volunteers, welcoming all of you to join us in the mission, the work, and the fun. We can all make a difference. The Committee hosts these Symposia each year to draw together people toward this effort. Join us in 2002!!
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Call for Programs
The 24th Annual Symposium
February 7, 8, & 9, 2002
Santa Clara Hilton
Santa Clara, California
Sexuality, Disability, and Power:
Are We Listening Yet?
Featuring Dave Hingsburger
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Save the Dates!
Symposium 2002
Feb. 7, 8, & 9
Call for Programs
September 1, 2001
(deadline)
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The Committee on Sexuality announces the Call for Programs for the 2002 Symposium featuring Dave Hingsburger, which will be held from February 7th through February 9th in beautiful Santa Clara, California. Proposals for presentations will be considered for inclusion in the program if they are received by September 1, 2001. Each proposal will be reviewed by the symposium program committee and those parties submitting papers will be notified by September 15th, 2001.
This symposium will focus on relationships among people with developmental disabilities. Whatís healthy, whatís safe and what is needed for successful, reciprocal relationships. Workshops may address the following themes:
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Violence and abuse prevention
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Supported living and employment
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Families and schools
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Expanding opportunities
for sexual expression
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Educational models, including those for severe disabilities
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Self advocacy
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Parenting
All program proposals must be typed, one-side only, and double spaced throughout. All proposals should include: title of presentation, objectives, specific target population, type of presentation (i.e.; lecture, discussion, panel, etc.). Programs should be no
longer than three (3) pages in length and should include an estimated time for presentation*.
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Please submit 5 copies and attach names and current vitae for all presenters. If you will need audio-visual support, please identify.
Please submit proposals to:
Symposium Program Committee
21450 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, California 95033
e-mail: hollywade@earthlink.net
*The Committee reserves the right to designate length of session and placement in program as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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The Parent Support Network
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By Wanda Dean-Hunter
"What am I supposed to do with my daughter who has the body of a 20 year old and the cognitive ability of a 10 year old?"
This question is among the many open and honest questions asked by parents of children with developmental disabilities. Based on feedback from a break-out session at the last symposium, a Parent Support Network will be formed for parents to share questions and techniques that effectively address the social and sexual issues facing parents of children with special needs.
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If you are interested in joining this network, please direct your ideas and questions, along with your contact information, to the attention of:
Wanda Dean-Hunter, L.C.S.W.
C/O The Committee on Sexuality
21450 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
email: twohunter@earthlink.net
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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
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Benefits of Committee Membership include:
• Connection with strong advocacy group
•Committee Exchange Newsletters
•Discounts on registration at the annual symposium
•Networking possibilities and the opportunity to stay connected with others on sexuality issues and
programs
•Tax deductible contributions
Please return to:
The Committee on Sexuality
C/O Lynn Covarrubias
5 Second Avenue
Chula Vista , CA 91910
Join us online:
www.ddcs.org
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If you are interested in continuing your involvement with the Committee and its work to advocate for social-sexual rights of people with developmental disabilities please consider joining the group via on-going membership. All committee work is accomplished through volunteers. We could use your support and involvement.
Why not consider joining our group today? Membership dues are paid annually:
General membership $30.00
Memberships for person with a disability $10.00
Supporting membership $100.00
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Using the Person-Centered Planning Guide for Building Healthy Social and Sexual Relationships
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By Kathleen Lee
The Person-Centered Planning Guide for Building Healthy Social and Sexual Relationships is a work that has been almost ten years in the making. In 1991, I was involved in many I.P.P meetings for people with severe and profound disabilities. At every meeting, I urged the team to make some sort of statement concerning that personís social-sexual interest. A very general list of questions was developed by our in house social-sexual committee ranging from body awareness to interest in committed relationships, so that each team would be able to do a brief assessment in the meeting. The mind set at that time just did not seem to be right for this type of information and the habit did not continue.
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Two years ago, The Committee on Sexuality had their annual weekend retreat. At this time there was much discussionabout how social-sexual issues could be addressed in the I.P.P. meeting, allowing the individual, rather than the team, to initiate conversation about desires and interests. What developed was the guide you see today. This brochure has been reviewed by various groups of caseworkers, psychologists, and social workers. The brochure has also been presented at the 2001 Committee on Sexuality Symposium in Oakland, CA. Further revisions have been made and the brochure is now ready for public dissemination.
The Person-Centered Planning Guide has been designed to be used by consumers and those serving consumers. There are six subject sections, ranging from making and keeping friends to staying safe from abuse. Each section is written in clear, simple language with some of the more common questions anyone might ask. A consumer might use the guide by reading each section and marking the questions that are important to him/her, thus allowing the brochure to give him/her the words for talking about this complex subject.
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A parent, caseworker, or friend might read the questions before the I.P.P. meeting to discuss interests that the consumer has mentioned in previous conversations. The guide also has available spaces for specific questions from the consumer.
The Committee is very interested in obtaining feedback from professionals around the country on how their organization uses the Person-Centered Planning Guide. We have included a copy of the guide in this newsletter for your use and hope that you will distribute the guide to consumers and professionals in the field for use in their facilities. We welcome your comments and information gathered will be used to develop a training seminar on the guide in the near future.
Questions? Contact Us!
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Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 345
Santa Cruz, CA
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The Committee on Sexuality
21450 Bear Creek Road
Los Gatos, CA 95033
www.ddcs.org
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President
Holly Wade
Treasurer
Kathleen Lee
Newsletter Editor
Alicia Meeks-Guerrero
Board of Directors
Lynne Muccigrosso
Diane Ambrose
Roxanne Mulder
Dinah Shapiro
Joan Daniels
Wanda Dean-Hunter
Michael Sambor
Pam Scoggins
Don Simons
Ronnie Rephan
Honorary Members
Bonnie Bernell
Winifred Kempton
Brian McNally
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Symposium 2002: Sexuality, Disability, & Power: Are We Listening Yet? Feb. 7, 8, & 9th |
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In Loving Memory... |
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"The ultimate aim of sexual and reproductive research of disabled women is moving from the medical management of fertility prevention to attention to sexual pleasure and response, safe reproductive choices, safe pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the ability to form healthy and loving relationships, sexual identities, and a rich sexual culture within the disabled community"
B. Waxman
1996 Commentary
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Barbara Waxman Fiducia
A leader, pioneer, activist, and one great woman, Barbara has had a tremendous impact on policy, disability, sexuality and the disabled community for many years. Whether fighting for the rights of people with disabilities to retain their benefits after marriage or ensuring access to free and appropriate education, Barbara had unparalleled energy and passion. It is with great sadness to learn that Barbara passed on April 24, 2001. As a long time advocate of individuals with developmental disabilities and a member of The Committee, we honor her efforts as tireless and groundbreaking. Barbaraís passion and activism will be missed but her work must continue, that is what she would want. We all must learn to appreciate her absence and honor her presence. We were truly blessed.
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Larry F. Rice
On October 30, 2000, we lost one of our most valuable advocates, Larry F. Rice. Most people in the disability system knew Larry from all over the state and country. Larry lived much of his life in a state hospital and had little to no contact with his family. When he left the state hospital, Larry wanted to help others. He went to Washington to attend a People First meeting and brought the idea back to California. Larry was one of the founders of California People First over 20 years ago. Larry was involved in many advocacy projects. He was one of the first consumers to be on the Board of The Committee on Sexuality and the Area 4 Board. He was also President of California People First and active in ANDI, a consumer evaluation project. Larry always cared about people and strived to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Larryís passing has greatly affected the advocacy system. We will miss you Larry!
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