Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More with Kathy O'Connell

We are excited to open up one of our Diversability Leadership Collective (our members-only space to advance disability leadership, advocacy, and influence) events to the public. We offer DLC exclusive events and perks like this on a weekly basis!

People with disabilities deserve fulfilling romantic relationships, yet they often face systemic barriers and assumptions that limit their dating lives. This presentation explores the concept of sexual ableism—the societal attitudes and practices that exclude people with disabilities from dating and intimate relationships—and challenges the notion that disability and desirability are incompatible.

Drawing on years of supporting others with confidence-building approach, Kathy O'Connell discusses how people with disabilities can navigate dating while confronting ableist assumptions, develop self-worth independent of others' perceptions, and cultivate the skills needed to attract and maintain meaningful relationships. Whether single or partnered, attendees will gain insights into building empowerment, recognizing their intrinsic value, and demanding more from a dating culture that too often overlooks them.

Kathy O’Connell, LMHC, CRC, is one of the country’s leading advocates for helping people with disabilities create healthy romantic relationships and sexual identities. Leading the charge against what she calls “Sexual Ableism” that makes individuals with disabilities falsely believe they are not worthy of a beautiful, healthy romantic relationship. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, she offers mental health services and healthy relationship skills to people with and without disabilities for over 25 years.

Kathy has been acknowledged by the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York, Syracuse University and the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. She is the author of the book Firewalk: Embracing Different Abilities. She has Masters degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Inclusive Education from Syracuse University. Kathy often uses her lived experience as a person with a disability as someone who successfully navigated dating and relationships.

Where: A Zoom link will be emailed to you 15 mins before the event begins.

This event will also be recorded and the recording will be shared with registered attendees after the event.

Sliding scale tickets

We are offering ticket fees on a sliding scale basis. This is to ensure that speakers and our team are compensated for their time and effort. Please donate whatever you can. Diversability is very appreciative of our community members, and thank you for your contribution!

Members of the Diversability Leadership Collective get free access to this event (and all of our events). Join us at http://diversability.mn.co.

Proceeds from this event directly support our 100% Disabled team!

Tickets for DLC members

DLC members can attend for free.

Accessibility

Attendees may keep their videos off for privacy or comfort, all are free to leave at any time.

We will also use Zoom's auto-captioning feature.

Please email Erin Tatum at hello@mydiversability.com for other accessibility needs and/or questions.