Posts by Cory http://www.comeasyouare.com registration@comeasyouare.com http://www.getmura.com Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:20:21 -0400 en-us Research about Disability and Online Dating http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/blog/research-about-disability-and-online-dating/ http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/blog/research-about-disability-and-online-dating/#comments FAA4D525-1517-0AA5-64473468514BC707 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0400 Citizens With Disabilities - Ontario listserv.  I don't know anyone involved, but I do know that, as the description below suggests, this is definitely an under researched area.  They are looking for people who are over 18, identify as living with a disability, and have used or are currently using online dating sites.

From the email notice and the study's informed consent form:

Natasha Saltes is a recent MA graduate in Critical Disability Studies.  She is currently recruiting participants for a qualitative study that she is conducting on disability and online dating. There is very little research on this particular topic - this is a unique opportunity to anonymously take part in an original study that will shed light on the experience of disability and online dating.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that online dating presents for people who identify themselves as living with a disability. This study aims to uncover how users with disabilities manage their identity online. This study also attempts to understand the experiences that people with disabilities have had in using online dating services and the ways in which online dating experiences may differ from offline experiences. 

Take the online questionnaire

Read the informed consent form

If you have any questions or concerns about this study please send an email to disabilitydatingstudy@gmail.com

Maybe once every couple of years I get an email advertising some new "disabled dating service" or "disability friendly" dating site.  Sometimes they are just plain sketchy, most of the time I'm wary, but not sure if I should be.  I think about how most people are a bit wary when they hear that I, someone who is currently non-disabled, work in the area of sex and disability.  Being a bit skeptical comes with the territory, but it feels weird for me as an ally.  Part of the priviledge I live with is that other people put me in a gatekeeper role when it comes to access to information.  Particularly non-disabled professionals who usually find it easier to deal with me than with their own attitudes toward disability, equity, etc...  So on the one hand I want to just share everything that comes my way and the idea that I might not share something because I think they're just out for a fast buck seems sort of condescending.

On the other, as a sex educator and someone trying to live an ethical life, I take referrals very seriously and don't ever want someone to think I'm recommending something unless I really am recommending it.  Being an ally makes this tricky, but so does the fact that there are so few resources around sex, dating, and disability, that most of us want to see everything we can get our hands on.
]]> Call for Proposals 32nd Annual Guelph Sexuality Conference http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/blog/call-for-proposals-32nd-annual-guelph-sexuality-conference/ http://www.comeasyouare.com/default/index.cfm/blog/call-for-proposals-32nd-annual-guelph-sexuality-conference/#comments 4FFF1355-1517-0AA5-6428FAB36C0E2682 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Guelph Sexuality Conference is the longest running and largest sexual health conference in Canada.  The call for next years conference is out, the theme is "Communication and Sexual Health: More than Words".

For the past three years Come As You Are has been proud to sponsor the conference and we're planning on being back again this year.  If you work in sexual health check out the call and think about submitting a proposal.  And don't forget to mark your calendar for June 21-23, 2010.

Guelph Sexuality Conference Request for Proposals
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