Due to social stigma, many people with disabilities experience discrimination. People with disabilities are more likely to live in conditions of extreme poverty and receive less education than people without disabilities. This includes information about sex-related health issues including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

HIV/AIDS & People with Disabilities

During the World Bank conference that took place in 2004 in Washington, D.C. entitled "Disability and Inclusive Development: Sharing, Learning and Building Alliances," the need for education campaigns about HIV/AIDS that are specifically tailored for the disability community was apparent.

While presenting at the conference, Judy Heumann, Advisor on Disability and Development at the World Bank, said, "many people assume that people with disabilities do not have sex lives and that it is not likely that they use intravenous drugs. Basically the stereotype is that people with disabilities are little exposed to activities that put people at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS."

Heumann continued, "Despite these beliefs, many people with disabilities have sex lives that are just as active as people who do not have disabilities." This means they are at risk. Heumann said sexual violence and rape against disabled women is another way HIV/AIDS is being spread in the disability community.

It seems there can never be enough education about HIV/AIDS. Despite the many education and prevention campaigns working right now,   the epidemic is not diminishing. In 2004, the number of people living with the HIV virus reached the highest level ever: 39.4 million human beings are infected worldwide (http://www.avert.org).

What is AIDS?

AIDS is an illness caused by a virus called HIV that slowly wears down the immune system. The immune system helps keep people from getting sick when exposed to bacteria, parasites and fungi. The system works throughout the entire body through white blood cells or lymphocytes that lead the body's attack against infection. Once the virus wears down an individual's immune system they can get very sick because their body is not able to fight off foreign bacteria and infection.

How is the Virus Transmitted?

The virus can be transmitted in through vaginal fluid, semen and breast milk. The most common ways to get HIV/AIDS are through sex with an infected person, sharing a needle with someone who is infected, being born from a mother who is infected or drinking breast milk (from a woman who is infected).

Some groups of people have been identified as more likely to have HIV/AIDS. These include intravenous drug users; hemophiliacs who received blood transfusions before 1985 in the United States; women whose partners have multiple sexual partners; people who receive supplements that are blood derivatives; children who were born of mothers who have AIDS or who have a history of intravenous drug use, and people with disabilities.

How Do You Know if Someone Has HIV/AIDS?

HIV/AIDS manifests itself differently in each person. It is important to note that HIV can exist in a person without manifesting symptoms for a long time. The only way to know if a person is infected with the AIDS virus is to get tested. A blood sample is taken to detect the presence of HIV antibodies.

It is not legal to force a person to take a HIV/AIDS text as a prerequisite for a job or at any point for employment purposes. It also is illegal to force an individual to be tested for admission to a school, gym or social club. It is an infringement on the individual's rights.

How Can We Prevent HIV/AIDS?

The two most inexpensive methods to prevent contracting the HIV/AIDS virus through intercourse are: sexual abstinence, or having a monogamous relationship with a HIV-negative person. Both are not reliable.

One can reduce the chance of contracting HIV/AIDS if they use a condom during intercourse. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reaffirm the belief that the condom is the best tool to slow the number of people who contract the illness since sexual contact is the leading cause for new cases. Condoms are relatively inexpensive and often they are even given away for free.

Where Can You Get More Information About HIV/AIDS?

In virtually every city in the United States today there are non-profit organizations that provide information, exams, and, in some cases medical attention that are little or no-cost to the individual.

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