John Woods

A black & white portrait photo of White man with close cropped grey hair, with a subtle smile, in an open collared button-up shirt.

Meet John Woods, an innovator of sexual health supports in disability services.

Current Title: Project Manager, Real Talk

#disability

#sexual_health

#education

John is the founder and project manager of Real Talk, an innovative sexual health initiative for people with intellectual disabilities, developed in the Fifth Space: a social design mentorship program run by InWithForward in 2015.

John is closely involved with operating Real Talk’s sister initiative Connecting Queer Communities, a social health and community connection initiative aimed at 2SLGBTQIA+ people with intellectual disabilities. He also works at Options for Sexual Health, supporting their educational services across B.C. as a Certified Sexual Health Educator.

Since 1997, John has been part of the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI), where he combines his background in social services, sexual health education, and the arts to create more inclusive, informed, and connected communities.

In front of a large table covered with branded materials, a White woman with wavy, brown hair in a Breton-striped shirt leans playfully towards John, propped forward on his elbows, in a dark button-up shirt, both smiling.

John’s strengths

Designing inclusive and accessible sexual health education
Bringing creativity to social innovation processes
Communicating complex topics with clarity and humour
Building programs rooted in lived experience and co-design

John’s background

A songwriter, musical theatre writer / producer, and tour manager who has mounted original productions in London and New York
Has worked in the community living and education sectors since 1992, in roles ranging from frontline support to educational assistant to program management
Holds a BA from the University of Manitoba