The Deaf HIV/AIDS awareness project

History and aims

This project was started in 2006 and aims to help to reduce the level of HIV/AIDS in the general Deaf population in South Africa. Currently the project aims to address the causes and effects of HIV in the general Deaf community in South Africa through the following activities:

• Providing educational outreach on HIV/AIDS to the Deaf community through peer-education training, theatre, and other techniques.
• Ensuring that resource materials are available to the HIV/AIDS, education and disability sectors to assist them in educational outreach to the Deaf community.
• Advocacy that aims to deepen understanding in the health, human rights, and disability sectors of the prevalence and impact of HIV/AIDS on the Deaf community.

Over the years we have piloted a range of educational outreach services.

Projects

See It, Sign It, Know It, Share It

Deaf youth speak out on HIV/AIDS

'See It, Sign It, Know It, Share It' uses a number of creative strategies to engage young Deaf South Africans in HIV prevention. The project is run by GALA in partnership with Anova Health and the MAC AIDS Fund.

Find out more

Are your Rights Respected?

Project Coordinators

John's Story

John Meletse talks to CNN about why the Deaf community is at such high risk of HIV infection and his personal path to becoming a Deaf HIV-positive activist.

Read and watch the interview