Youth with disabilities and HIV/AIDS

My name is Paul Chappell and I am currently planning to undertake my PhD at UKZN, looking at the subject of youth with disabilities and HIV/AIDS. Given the misconception that youth with disabilities are perceived to be asexual and that they have poorer access to literacy, education and health services, very little is known about how youth with disabilities construct a sexual identity in rural South Africa. These factors may all contribute to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS amongst youth with disabilities in South Africa. The proposed study therefore wants to find out how and why youth with disabilities talk about subjects such as friendship, love, sex and HIV/AIDS.

In order to assist me with this study, I am wanting to set up a discussion forum surrounding this issue and would like people to respond to the following questions via the website:

1. What experiences have people had in addressing issues related to friendship, love, sex and HIV/AIDS with youth with disabilities?

2. How do youth with disabilities living in rural areas get information about friendship, love, sex and HIV/AIDS?

3. How do youth with disabilities living in rural areas relate to popular youth culture?

4. How do youth with disabilities living in rural areas develop understanding of gender norms?

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You can also email Paul directly: pichappell@hotmail.com