From exclusion to part of the solution: making HIV/AIDS programs inclusive of people with disabilities in Tanzania

About the project The Tanzania disability survey (2008) shows that 8% of Tanzanians experience some type of disability. World Report (2010) shows 15%. HIV infection rate among PwDs was 9% compared to 7% for the general population. There are a number of HIV/AIDS projects in Tanzania, but none of them were focusing on people with disabilities as a vulnerable group.

About the project People with disability face communication, attitudinal and environmental barriers in accessing HIV/AIDS service and information. CBM and CCBRT implemented a three year HIV/AIDS and Disability Project funded by PEPFAR thru HRSA from February, key districts in Tanzania included in the project.

There are 300,000 people with disabilities between years of agein the 15 districts

Project objectives 1.Review of government HIV/AIDS policies and VCT/CTC guidelines 2.Improve access and demand among PwDs for HIV/AIDS information and services 3.Build the capacity of health care providers to provide HIV/AIDS services to PWDs 4.Improve access to sexual and reproductive health education for youth with disabilities. 5.Share best practices

Express Linkages to Rights Non Discrimination & Attention to vulnerable group Empowerment Accountability Participation Human Rights Twin Track Approach Comprehensive Accessibility People with disabilities as central Inclusive HIV/AIDS Services and information

The role of the government 1.Project Planning Baseline study of HIV/AIDS and disability Idea generation for project proposal 2.Project start up activities Community entry - The gov. provided transport and staff Cosmos experience 3.Implementation of the project The gov took over the review of guidelines

The role of the government Provided curriculum, cooperated to develop training manuals, experts and certification in training of – Peer Educators, Deaf Counselors, Health care providers, Rehab staff and teachers Provided testing and counseling to people with disabilities Provided curriculum development experts for the revision of health curriculum in special education. (Kaspar’s experience)

The role of SHIVYAWATA (DPO) Guided the project in working with people with disabilities including: Identification of peer educators and deaf counselors 1.Development of disability inclusive IEC 2.Identification of sign language interpreters 3.Identification of sign language trainers Key member of the Project Steering Committee Participated in the monitoring of the project Sensitized member DPOs on project activities

Training Health care center staff Teachers Rehabilitation workers Parents of children with disabilities Peer educators Counselors who are Deaf Ryoba’s experience

Peer education 139 People with disabilities across the 15 districts trained and undertaking peer education regarding HIV/AIDS Rehema’s reflections

Counseling 45 people who are Deaf trained using government curriculum as counselors Neema’s reflections

Results Government VCT/CTC guidelines reviewed and inclusive of people with 45,000 people with disabilities reached through awareness 8,500 individuals with disabilities accessed counseling and testing services 71 health centers in 15 districts are now accessible. Peer education across 15 Districts

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