Current status of HIV/AIDS and Deafness in Ethiopia By Habtamu Kebebe Ethiopia national Association of the Deaf (ENAD) Executive director

Ethiopia National Association of the Deaf (ENAD)  Established in 1970s by the Deaf people with encouragement and support of some hearing friends  Currently have 17 regional branches  Have one Pre-school for the Deaf children in Addis Ababa

Vision  To see an information and communications barriers free Ethiopia with full participation for all deaf citizens.

Mission  Our mission is to reduce and gradually eradicate the stigma attached to deafness in Ethiopia as well as to enable the deaf to become productive and self- reliant citizens through awareness creation, education, health, self- employment opportunities, sign language research and development.

Goal  To make ENAD a sustainable and credible development association that contributes to the creation of a society, which gives equal opportunities to deaf persons and persons with disabilities in general.

Deaf people in Ethiopia  according to WHO and World bank report from the total population of Ethiopia 17.6% (about 14 million) are PwDs. Among these 3.5%(2.8 million) belongs to Deaf.  Approximately more than 10,000 live in Addis Ababa.  The rest live other towns and in rural areas which are most vulnerable population.  The challenges also multiple on Deaf women's

opportunities to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS at ENAD  16 Deaf and 9 Interpreters got training of VCT. Among these 1 Deaf and 2 Interpreters are serving the Deaf as VCT counselors at zewuditu Hospital  13 peer to peer training providers took relevant courses and they are now ready to teach their peers  Materials were distributed to different branches in collaboration with Handicap International

Cont…..  One film was prepared by Deaf artists which focused on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. The film is called “mintamir” and this film is accessible for all in CD format using sign language, voice, and sub title  From the 17 branches six regional branches implemented a project on HIV/Aids prevention and control mainly focusing on Deaf women in collaboration with Finnish Association of the Deaf.

Cont…….  This project will be implemented in the future other 8 branches that means totally 14 branches will be covered by the program.  ENAD already prepared 5 years SPM and this SPM contains over 20 project ideas. Most of them are focused on HIV/AIDS, education of Deaf children, women's empowerment and sign language and research

Cont…..  ENAD distributes Condoms to its members in various confidential ways.  There is improvement of members arwareness towards HIV/AIDS due to different training opportunities organized by ENAD and its partners.  There is Coffee programme that enlightens members on HIV/AIDS.

Cont…  The establishment of Pre-school for the Deaf in the association also opened door for the Deaf Education from early childhood.  AAU launched BA program in Eth.SL and Deaf culture  Sign language training is given to Nurses, Police, Governmental officials and to various service providers.

Challenges to the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS at ENAD  Limited VCT Service provider institute for the Deaf People.  Lack of information/media/ accessibility on HIV/AIDS.  Lack of suitable office.  Most of the training focuses on theory rather than practice

Cont….  Lack of policy on the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and control concerning the Deaf.  Lack of youth center for the Deaf. We only have an old meeting hall.  Lack of Deaf family involvement on HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities  Lack of trained human power.

Cont…..  Deaf people themselves have Lack of awareness towards HIV/AIDS.  Training is mainly focused only in Addis Ababa and few branches due to lack of financial resources.  Rural Deaf people are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and nothing was done for them.

Cont…  Lack of awareness of health personnel towards Deaf people. Some health officers are not willing to serve Deaf people claiming that they do not know sign language.  Lack of teaching materials /visualized materials/ Manuals etc.  Lack of data on the HIV +ve Deaf people.  Lack of care for the HIV +ve Deaf people.

Planed activities and Suggestion to over come the barriers  ENAD have to work with government and NGOs to decrease the barriers.  ENAD have to establish a strong relationship with the family of the Deaf.  ENAD on hopes to Build suitable office and youth center.  advocating for the media accessibility especially on HIV/AIDS.  Collecting statistical data on the HIV +ve deaf people and providing care to them.

Beneficiaries  Deaf people and their family.  Government and NGOs.  Teachers of Deaf students/ Deaf children.  Regional Branches and their local government administrations.  Staffs and the executive committee of ENAD.

Thank you ›ScÓ“KG</ Ameseginalehu