Realize is sending out this call for participation at the 12th Edition of the Disability Networking Zone in the Global Village at the 24th International AIDS Conference July 29–August 2, 2022 in Montréal, Canada.
This work is in partnership with
South African Medical Research Council (South Africa)
School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu – Natal (South Africa)
National Department of Health (South Africa)
Afrique Rehabilitation & Research Consultants NPC (South Africa)
School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu – Natal (South Africa)
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto (Canada)
Canada – International HIV and Rehabilitation Research Collaborative (International)
Indigenous Disabilities Canada/BC Aboriginal Network Disability Society (Canada)
Coalition des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte contre le SIDA (Canada)
UNFPA (International)
DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada (Canada)
Disability, HIV and AIDS Trust (Zimbabwe)
Communities Alliances and Networks Canada (Canada)
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (United Kingdom)
Objective
Despite advances in knowledge on the intersection between disability and HIV, many people with disability still lack access to information, counselling, testing, treatment, and care. In addition, through increased access to Antiretroviral Therapy, AIDS-related deaths have declined, and life expectancy has improved. However, living long-term with HIV brings new health-related challenges and potentially episodic, temporary, and permanent disabilities.
Currently, disability and rehabilitative services are scarce and thus not fully equipped to meet these increased needs, nor to effectively link up with existing HIV-services to make these more disability inclusive. The 12th edition of the Disability Networking Zone (DNZ), with the theme this year ‘Resetting, Recharging and Re-energizing the Global AIDS Response for a New Era’ will be held in the Global Village of the 24th International AIDS Conference in Montréal and aims:
- To support AIDS 2022 to ensure accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities (PWD)
- To actively involve PWD and people living with HIV (PLwHIV) who experience disability, whether episodic, temporary, or permanent
- To increase awareness and knowledge on the intersections of disability and HIV
- To disseminate and present cutting edge research evidence, innovations, and good practices through diverse modalities
- To enhance engagement and dialogue with researchers, donors, advocates, and PWD
- To enhance strategic networking among disability organizations, disabled peoples’ organizations, mainstream AIDS related NGOs, government stakeholders, researchers, clinicians, and activists
- To explore the impact of the intersection of COVID-19 and HIV on PWD and translate lessons learned into recommendations for action at all levels to improve equity for PWD
Who can apply?
We are calling for participation from grassroots and national DPOs, NGOs, faith-based organizations, networks, researchers, institutions, civil society organisations, human rights organisations, rehabilitation organisations, other disability justice and social justice organisations, as well as leaders in the field of disability and HIV from around the world to join us in advancing the above objectives.
In our networking zone people with disability, people living with HIV, researchers, donors, and conference attendees can come together to share experiences, learn from each other, and raise awareness of the intersection between disability and HIV.
Activities
We invite you to apply to host an activity related to disability and HIV such as:
- Exhibition posters and presentations on examples of best & wise practice
- Presentations and discussions on the intersections of identity
- Demonstrations of innovative advocacy
- Display of art projects that highlight the intersections of HIV and disability
- Presentations of new research findings and evidence
- Interactive skills-building sessions of best & wise practice
- Film screenings and digital storytelling
- Stories from people with disability who also HIV-positive and people living with HIV
- Presentation of policy papers and information material
- Roundtable discussions with key stakeholders in the field of HIV and/or disability
How to apply?
Complete and submit the application form by noon Pacific time on May 31st 2022 to Melissa Egan ([email protected]). Your application form should include contact details and should not exceed 2 pages. You will be notified if your session has been accepted by 10th June 10th, 2022.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide financial support for presenters or participants. Organizers must find their own funding for travel to Montreal, Canada and all costs associated with participation in the AIDS 2022 Conference.
For more information about the conference visit: www.aids2022.org Entry to the Global Village is free and open to the public. It does not require the payment of a Conference registration fee.