[News from Diversability] Date change for upcoming virtual event: Wednesday, December 10: Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More

We're opening up one of our Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC) events to the broader Diversability community: Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More

Newsletter contents:

1. [Virtual] We’re opening up TWO of our Diversability Leadership Collective events:

   1. DATE CHANGED - Wednesday, December 10: Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More with Kathy O’Connell

   2. Wednesday, January 14, 2026: Reclaiming Inner Freedom: Nervous System Healing for Mind, Body & Soul with KerryAnne Kelley

2. Updates from the Diversability® Leadership Collective.

3. Other things we wanted to include in this newsletter:

   1. Get your “Disability Is Not a Bad Word,” “Disabled & Proud,” and The Anti-Ableist Manifesto art as holiday gifts at our merch store.

   2. Get paid $120/hour for research studies/surveys with Rare Patient Voice.

   3. Take our self-paced online course on disability inclusion geared toward allies, employers, and organizations.

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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. All events are free for DLC members to attend.

{Virtual} DATE CHANGED - Wednesday, December 10: Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More with Kathy O’Connell

Image description: a square graphic on a peach background with a red border. At the top, text, “Diversability Leadership Collective. Sexual Ableism and Dating: Wanting More.” Below, Kathy O’Connell’s headshot in an circle with her name. Below, text, “Wednesday, December 10 | 1:00PM ET / 10:00AM PT. Join is for a free week of membership. Sliding scale options available. Sign up here: http://diversability.mn.co.” On the sides, text, “Open to the public.”

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.

1. When: DATE CHANGED - Wednesday, December 10 | 1:00PM ET / 10:00AM PT

2. Where: A Zoom link will be emailed to you 10 mins before the event begins.

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

3. Tickets: FREE for Diversability Leadership Collective members, sliding scale tickets for non-members

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Updates from the Diversability Leadership Collective (DLC)

Since launching in 2021, our members have made over $37k in opportunities shared through the DLC!

The Diversability® Leadership Collective (DLC) is our members-only space to advance disability leadership, influence, and advocacy. Join over 170+ members for curated paid & visibility opportunities, members-only events, and community.

Our Facebook Group (7,400+ members) will continue to be a free, loosely moderated space for peer support, resources, and community.

Member Updates:

1. Vote for Sam Berman, who is a finalist in Lime Connect’s In the Limelight video contest.

2. Get paid to join Danielle Napoli’s research study on queer sexual pleasure and disability.

3. Lilly Grossman was featured in Forbes on portable disability support written by Keely Cat-Wells.

4. Nieta Greene’s Disability Community for Democracy, Inc. is the recipient of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter November award, where Nico Meyering is a trustee and Tiffany Yu is a cofounder.

5. James Geiger shares how his origin story shapes him on LinkedIn.

6. Neil Hughes posted a new episode of his podcast, Neurodope.

7. Join Catarina Rivera’s workshop, Foundations for Building Effective Disability ERGs, December 2-4.

8. Donate disability books, including Tiffany Yu’s The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, to local schools and community organizations.

Recent opportunities curated for DLC members:

1. Win $250,000 for your impact initiative.

2. Get a free phone case to support artists living with disabilities!

3. Write an article for a leadership and business magazine.

4. Submit a proposal for a speaking opportunity.

5. Get a free VIP Day for your business or course.

6. Record a video on human connection.

7. Join a nonprofit board for social justice leaders.