The Deaf HIV Program
Sadly, Deaf people have not had first-hand access to information on HIV, safer sex, or sharing drug paraphernalia. While the hearing community was receiving information on the dangers of HIV, the Deaf community was literally in the dark. Prevention programs were mass marketed in the 80’s yet, unintentionally the Deaf community was “left out”. Television stories were not captioned (subtitled). Radio was ineffective. School programs were not interpreted into American Sign Language. There were virtually no Deaf people in the community knowledgeable about HIV to teach others. Yet one of our friends states “I have lost 43 Deaf friends to this disease”. As a result, thousands of Deaf people contracted HIV and because they were unaware of the spreading epidemic, they continued engaging in high-risk behaviors that spread the disease throughout the community.
Through a grant with the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act, DEAF C.A.N.! has been providing comprehensive case management services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people living with HIV. This program ensures a better quality of life to increase access to the continuum of care, which is available to the broader HIV community. We have established collaborative with a multitude of HIV/AIDS organizations to ensure that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people will have access to quality care.
We have been very successful at providing intervention for this vastly undeserved community. Our staff truly understands what it “feels like” to be Deaf and understands the cultural nuances and beautiful and artistic language that is used in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. Staff appreciates that being Deaf or Hard of Hearing is isolating in and of itself. Being HIV+ can also be extremely isolating and very lonely. When an individual is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and HIV+, the result can be devastating an individual who is alone and without the supports needed to manage their disease.
The Deaf AIDS Project serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in Southeastern Michigan living with HIV/AIDS. We also provide support to their family members and their caregivers.
Through a grant with the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Ryan White C.A.R.E. Act, DEAF C.A.N.! has been providing comprehensive case management services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people living with HIV. This program ensures a better quality of life to increase access to the continuum of care, which is available to the broader HIV community. We have established collaborative with a multitude of HIV/AIDS organizations to ensure that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people will have access to quality care.
We have been very successful at providing intervention for this vastly undeserved community. Our staff truly understands what it “feels like” to be Deaf and understands the cultural nuances and beautiful and artistic language that is used in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. Staff appreciates that being Deaf or Hard of Hearing is isolating in and of itself. Being HIV+ can also be extremely isolating and very lonely. When an individual is Deaf or Hard of Hearing and HIV+, the result can be devastating an individual who is alone and without the supports needed to manage their disease.
The Deaf AIDS Project serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in Southeastern Michigan living with HIV/AIDS. We also provide support to their family members and their caregivers.
CDC National STD & AIDS Hotline
24 Hours a Day - 7 Days a week at 1-800-872-AIDS