HIV audiobooks for the visually impaired
When you think of target audiences for HIV information and education campaigns, you think youths, sex workers, migrant workers, maybe even prisoners — and you think fliers, billboards, posters, maybe even a radio advert or a play. But there is a group that is always neglected but which equally needs information on HIV prevention and treatment: people with disabilities. Sadly, they are often forgotten in education campaigns and are sometimes more vulnerable.
But thanks to Moses Nyirenda who works with a team on HIV Audiobooks for the Blind (HAB4B) Project, this group has not been completely left out. This is an education programme implemented by Digital Multimedia Solutions, a social enterprise in partnership with Sustainable Rural Growth and Development Initiative, a youth-led organisation working for positive change.
According to Moses, “HAB4B Project is trying to make a positive difference by producing and distributing innovative and effective materials that will assist disadvantaged children to access HIV prevention information and education materials. We produce and provide assistive devices such as HIV audio-books and appliances in schools.”
Malawi has 210 000 blind people and over 20 623 are attending school in 41 institutions. Through this project and support from international partners, ICT4Schools and the HAB4B project, they have been able to support a number of visually impaired students with access to technology and important information.
I applaud this wonderful initiative! I was able to listen to two podcasts and a very catchy song Play it Safe by Watipzeey. The podcasts are short and very informative — one is an information article on HIV and ARTs and the other a story about an uncle who takes advantage of his niece. The science communicator in me thought of some useful (well, hopefully useful if they don’t consider me rude) ways they could be more effective and engaging so I sent them some feedback.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises the right of all children with disabilities both to be included in the general education systems and to receive the individual support they need. One of the acts states the importance of “ensuring that the education of persons, and in particular children, who are blind, deaf and deaf-blind, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and modes and means of communication for the individual, and in environments which maximise academic and social development”.
Children with visual disabilities are among the most excluded group from the education system. There are a lot of barriers — lack of trained teachers, lack of appropriate education material, poor family support, negative attitudes by community and peers and so much more. There is a lot that needs to be done to be inclusive of people with disabilities. HAB4B is a massive step in the right the direction!
