Pioneering Brazil's first National Forum on disability and AIDS

In 2008 the first ever National Forum on disability and AIDS took place in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil.

The result of successful collaboration between the federal STI/HIV/AIDS programme and International Service, the Forum took place ahead of the opening of the National Congress on HIV/AIDS. It was designed to raise awareness about disabled people as a group at risk from STIs and HIV, but also highlighted the disabling effects of HIV and AIDS.

Above all, the Forum demonstrated the importance of fully including disabled people in society, and how crucial it is to make STI/HIV/AIDS projects accessible to them.

Many risks are preventable. However, a growing body of research indicates that disabled people are at an increased risk to every known risk factor for HIV/AIDS (Groce, 2003) because they are often stigmatised and excluded from prevention and outreach-work. 

There are many incorrect assumptions about sexual and reproductive rights, with many presuming that disabled people are not sexually active. Misinformation exists at all levels - within the family, in society at large, and amongst people working in the sexual and reproductive health field.

As a result additional risks faced by disabled people include poverty, lack of access to information and resources that promote safer sex, low self-esteem, and substance abuse. Disabled people are also at a greater risk of violence, abuse, rape and lack of legal protection.

The Forum brought together people living with HIV and AIDS, disabled people, activists in the field, representatives from the government sector, civil society, NGOs and health professions. International Service ensured that disabled people and people living with HIV and AIDS were active participants in both the Forum, and the Congress on HIV/AIDS. In particular, delegates with intellectual disabilities were present, responding to a project they were involved in and bringing greater depth to discussions.

A document pledging action from all members was developed as a result of a workshop. It was presented at the closing ceremony of the National AIDS Congress, gaining national media coverage. Recommendations from the workshops included: developing a national multidisciplinary group on HIV/AIDS and disability; researching the situation in Brazil; increasing training; better-sensitizing professionals working in HIV/AIDS; and promoting accessibility in sexual health services and campaigns.
 
“The Forum was very important in helping us to deal with
questions of prevention. Before we didn’t have much information; as a result of the Forum I now feel able to go and share the information with colleagues...”

Helio Araujo of the Centre for Independent Living