Deaf Diversity and HIV/AIDS Training Programme

The programme focuses on HIV/AIDS and its workshops are part of a diversity training exercise aimed at Social Orientation classes. In 2005, the workshops were conducted in five Deaf schools in Gauteng and three schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The workshops are conducted by a Deaf person, who, according to the organisers, is able to communicate the information to learners effectively.

The programme organisers say that young Deaf people lack HIV positive role models, and that HIV/AIDS is still highly stigmatised within the community itself among learners and teachers. During the workshops, the coordinator discloses to the learners that he is both gay and HIV positive. According to the organisers, this helps the learners become sensitive to the training, and it is important for learners to have a Deaf HIV positive role model.

Youth, HIV/AIDS.

The pilot project’s evaluation revealed that learners did not have access to critical information about HIV/AIDS and sexuality despite the fact that schools did have HIV/AIDS related material developed by Sign Language Education and Development. The compnenet lacking was a Deaf person who was able to communicate with and answer questions from the learners.

The organisers are planning to expand the programme through the training of Deaf counsellers and peer educators.