Disability is not Inability

::RATN Training for the Marginalized Groups

In July 2006, KAPC conducted the first ever training course of 14 participants all with hearing impairment.

Having trained HIV/AIDS Counsellors drawn from a cross section of other segments of the population in ESA region in collaboration with RATN, the marginalised groups had never been covered well.

The group was drawn from persons KAPC had trained earlier at basic HIV awareness programmes.

Persons with hearing impairement consititute a significant proportion of our population, and while there has been significant investment on HIV/AIDS counselling, only very recently has there been attention towards challenged persons, mainly the hearing impaired and the blind.

They too like everybody else are affected by the HIV pandemic. Many are infected and not only are they not accessible to the HIV/AIDS knowledge and information, like the rest of the population, but they are denied care and support services that come with counselling sine almost 100% of the trained and practicing counsellors are illiterate on sign language.

It has been noted that in most circumstances the def are assumed to be 'asexual' or do not have sexual desires and rights like others.

While the course generally followed the KAPC/RATN existing counselling course structure, additional components on the specific challenges for the marginalised groups were included. Some of these were; the use of sign language and the hearing impaired; access to available services like VCT, PMTCT, IEC materials; people's perception on persons with disabilities as sexual beings and resource access for HIV/AIDS programmes focusing on marginalised groups.

The graduands left the course knowledgeable and skilled in counselling and very motivated to make a difference amongst the hearing impaired persons in the communities.

One of the course participants had this to say "When l learnt about the RATN/KAPC HIV/AIDS counselling course, l decided to try it. The result is amazing. l'm very grateful, the course was challenging, and l developed myseft awareness and confidence. The course was conducted very professionally and our sign language interpreters ensured that we understood even complex theories of counselling. l now have a completely new outlook in life".

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Category: Health

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