An international conference on Aids last week focused on the problems of disabled people and HIV, which are often ignored because of misconceptions about disability and sexuality Access to HIV information, testing and treatment for people with disabilities was raised for the first time as a central theme at the International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (Icasa), held last week in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. A “disability zone” gave delegates rare space to discuss the risks and barriers that arise from misconceptions around disability and sexuality, the heightened vulnerabilities of people with disabilities to infection through sexual violence, and models for inclusive HIV-programming. “People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority group but a substantial number within the Aids community are yet to recognise them as vulnerable,” said Emelia Timpo, a senior adviser for UNAids.
Read the original here:
Disabled people finally given a voice on HIV and Aids | Libby Powell
