Sex Ed for Everyone: Creating an Inclusive Space for Youth with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Training Details
Sex Ed for Everyone: Creating an Inclusive Space for Youth with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Held virtually February 1st, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Applications open January 2nd thru January 30th, 2023
Oftentimes, youth and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are not given the same opportunities to access age-appropriate, medically accurate, and up-to-date sexuality education. All youth and young adults are at risk for unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS), and being abused. However, youth with developmental or intellectual disabilities experience these risks at a higher rate than their neurotypical counterparts. Due to this increased risk, it is important to ensure all young people, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have access to inclusive education regarding healthy sexuality. For these reasons, it is just as important for those working at youth-serving agencies to have access to updated skills, tools, and best practices for providing these populations with accurate sexual health information. In this virtual training, we will explore specific issues that people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities face, and learn practical tools and skills for teaching these populations about healthy sexuality. This training is presented New Beginnings Inc., with support from the Maine Department of Education. Staff of youth-serving agencies and alternative schools are welcome to apply!
Training objectives include, but are not limited to:
- Define sexuality and identify the various places youth learn about sexuality.
- Explain the specific issues people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities face regarding sexuality and why teaching inclusive sexuality education is important.
- Explore relevant topics and effective skills and tools for teaching this population.
- Identify respectful and preferred language to use when working people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
- Explain best practices for teaching sexuality to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
- Explore how the inclusion of all abilities in sexuality education can address health disparities, such as those related to new HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies.
Do you work with or otherwise mentor a young person who may be interested in learning the skills associated with participating in this training alongside you? Email jwyman@newbeginmaine.org for more info!
This training is virtual; participation requires access to a device compatible with Zoom software, a stable internet connection, and working speakers, webcam, and microphone. Participants should also be able to successfully navigate the “chat” feature (i.e. working mouse and keyboard).
Certificates of Attendance will be provided upon completion of the entire training, and CEU’s will be available for purchase.
***Please do not apply unless you can attend the entirety of this training without contacting jwyman@newbeginmaine.org first.***
Training Application
Applications are closed for this event.
PLEASE NOTE: Application priority will be given to youth workers and staff from youth/social service agencies, residential programs, and alternative schools who work with teens and young adults at high risk for negative health outcomes or homelessness/out of home placements. Adults/educators who do not currently work directly with these youth (e.g. primarily work with younger adolescents, children, lower-risk populations, or in program administration) may submit an application request but will likely be placed on the waiting list until after the application deadline, and contacted as space allows.