QASA LAUNCHES ROLLING POSITIVE – AN HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

A national programme to combat the spread of HIV/Aids infection among people with disabilities is soon to be launched in South Africa. The campaign, known as Rolling Positive, is the brainchild of QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA), the organisation developing the interests and needs of quadriplegics and paraplegics nationally.

Rolling Positive is being funded by Global Fund and is the first time they have become involved in a disability programme of this nature and extent in South Africa. Ari Seirlis, National Director of QASA, says “ We are proud and excited for having been chosen by Global Fund for funding of this inclusive programme focusing on reproductive health and HIV/Aids prevention among people with disabilities.

“Too often individuals with disabilities are not being included in HIV prevention and Aids outreach efforts because it is assumed that they are not sexually active and are at little or no risk of HIV infection. The Global Survey on Disability and HIV/Aids conducted by Yale University and the World Bank has proven this assumption wrong. Individuals with disabilities have equal or greater exposure to all known risk factors for HIV infection,” says Seirlis.

Rolling Positive is a programme run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. One of its aims will be to train 450 disabled people to act as counsellors and trainers to spread the message of a positive lifestyle to other people with disabilities. James Direro a QASA Board member is one of the first such trainers and is brimming with hope and enthusiasm. “We are committed to take our message to the furthest corners of South Africa, making the programme totally inclusive,” he says.

Rolling Positive is aligned with the National Strategic Aids Plan and is vital in including people with disabilities in this national strategy.

The Rolling + Launch at the XVIII International Aids Conference held in Vienna July 2010

Contact Details

Vernon Openshaw
Project Coordinator
QASA Rolling+ Programme
Tel: +27 21 853 3281 (office)
Fax: +27 86 611 7106
Cell: +27 72 713 4649
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Dr Philip Coetzer
QASA Rolling+ Programme
Tel: +27 21 853 3281
Fax: +27 86 513 9501
Cell: +27 82 458 6344
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