Challenges and Successes in Addressing the Exclusion of People with Disabilities from HIV Prevention

By Shonali Shome and Myroslava Tataryn 
August 1, 2008

People with disabilities, and especially women with disabilities, are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, yet they are not being reached by treatment and prevention campaigns.  The case studies explored in this paper demonstrate successful local and nationwide responses to the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst people with disabilities.  The disabled peoples' and AIDS organizations highlighted are addressing the intersection of disability and AIDS in holistic, gender-sensitive and integrated ways.  Some are doing this work in the midst of conflict zones; all work in under-resourced areas.  These models demonstrate the potential of what is possible and what is necessary to fully address the HIV/AIDS pandemic as well as the human rights of people with disabilities.  The paper highlights the urgent need for mainstream AIDS organizations to ensure that HIV education, intervention and services reach individuals with disabilities worldwide. The authors call for a comprehensive and sustainable response to the needs of people with disabilities from the international AIDS community.

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