People with I/DD want to be in relationships, but often struggle with just how to meet people. One of the ways they can meet people is through dating apps, but how do we successfully support someone when using dating apps? This can be challenging for anyone, whether you're a person with I/DD or someone who supports them. For example, as a support person, you might be asking yourself: How can I help someone when I don't know anything about these apps? What do I need to understand in order to be supportive in a positive way versus a fear based way? What knowledge and skills are needed in order for people with I/DD to navigate these apps safely?Join us for this online workshop and leave feeling more confident that you can handle this topic.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this 90 minute workshop, participants will be able to:

• Examine various current, popular apps that people with I/DD can use to meet new partners. Witness a very basic overview/demo.

• Explore the difference between disability-specific apps, such as Glimmer, and apps for anyone, such as Tinder. Discuss how to talk about these differences with those you support.

• Examine what knowledge and skills are needed to navigate these apps safely, including avoiding common scams.

• Explore dating app topics such as "courting" strategies, rights and privacy, and dealing with rejection.

This is a 90-minute online workshop for professionals, administrators, self-advocates, parents, etc. We use Zoom, a video conference platform to deliver the workshop. There will be opportunity for questions and live engagement with the presenters.

Workshop Date: Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm eastern time (please note your time zone)

Access Instructions: After you register you will get a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the workshop. If you don't get the email check your spam. You must have a stable internet connection to join, or you can call in via phone.

Workshop Presenters:

Kate Napolitano, MA, LCSW is currently the Social Relationships and Sexuality Educator for an agency that serves individuals with I/DD, called Wildwood Programs, of Albany, NY. She also runs a small private psychotherapy practice in NY's Hudson Valley, specializing in matters concerning Sexuality, Relationships and Sexual Identities. Kate entered the clinical social work field in 2012, and has been studying the intersections of disability for the duration of that time. She holds a masters in Human Sexuality from NYU, and a masters in Social Work from Fordham University. Most recently, she is a founding member of new professional alliance SEDD: Sexuality Educators supporting people with Developmental Disabilities in NY. For more information about this new alliance, Kate can be reached at [email protected].

Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., CSE is a national expert and trains individuals, staff, and parents on sexuality and developmental disabilities. She teaches sexuality education to people with DD/ID as well as trains them to be peer sexuality educators themselves. Katherine is the author of an agency and school curriculum: Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities, and has developed two online courses; one to train professionals, Developmental Disability and Sexuality 101, and one for parents: Talking to Your Kids: Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality. Katherine has spent her career trying to elevate the status of all people, which is why the new name for her growing company is Elevatus Training.