1. Capitalisation of good practices on HIV programming for persons with disabilities in Rwanda from 2008 to 2013 Muriel Mac-Seing and Elie Mugabowishema Handicap International

2. Background on the HIV and disability project  Title: Strengthening communities to integrate persons with disabilities in the HIV and AIDS response in Rwanda  Period: 2008 to 2013  Funding: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Government (New Partner Initiative)  Technical assistance from: JSI and CDC Rwanda  Main partners: Seven disabled people’s organisations (DPOs), two CBOs, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and the Ministry of Health  Location: 19 of 30 districts of Rwanda

3. Expected project results  ER1: The national AIDS programme, Umbrella of People with disabilities in the Fight of HIV/AIDS (UPHLS), seven DPOs and CBOs and five health facilities/VCT centres are capacitated and their involvement in the national response to HIV increased  ER2: HIV prevention services are scale up to include at least 65,700 persons with disabilities and 187,570 family members  ER3: HIV care and support to people living with HIV is strengthened and scaled up to include at least 2,200 persons with disabilities infected and affected by HIV  ER4: Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services are accessible to 6,000 women and men with disabilities and 70 persons with disabilities who are SGBV survivors have appropriate care and treatment

4. Main achievements 93,393 persons with disabilities (57% women) and 246,100 community members (69% women) have been sensitized on HIV prevention 2,090 persons with disabilities living with HIV (61% women) received care and treatment services 4,903 persons with disabilities (54% women) and 8,715 community members were sensitized on SGBV 53 persons with disabilities (56% women) received SGBV care and treatment services Nine DPOs and CBOs received organisational development strengthening Three national forums on HIV and disability have been co-organised with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and UPHLS.

5. Good practice 1: Strengthening of disabled people’s organisations The process Technical and organisational capacity assessment Technical and organisational capacity assessment Technical support from JSI and follow-up from Handicap International Increased institutional capacity of DPOs and CBOs The results Increased coverage in selected districts Ownership and empowerment of PWD Set up of association and support groups for PWD Reinforced relationship between organisations and their constituency

6. Good practice 2: Involvement of persons with disabilities as peer educators in HIV prevention The process TOT of DPOs and CBOs Training of peer educators Peer education to people, families and community members The results Family level Decreased stigma and discrimination Increased knowledge Formation of support groups Increased involvement of CHW Family level Decreased stigma and discrimination Increased knowledge Formation of support groups Increased involvement of CHW Individual level Increased demand for inclusive health services Increased knowledge Increased self-esteem and confidence Sense of ownership Individual level Increased demand for inclusive health services Increased knowledge Increased self-esteem and confidence Sense of ownership

7. Good practice 3: Use of tailored advocacy to include disability at national level The process Close collaboration with RBC and UPHLS Technical working group of HIV and disability National forums on HIV and disability Training workshops at national and district levels The results Advocacy Production by RBC of disability sensitive IEC material (sign language, images, large fonts) Disability inclusion guideline in health system at community level Inclusion of disability in national policies, e.g. most recent NSP on HIV Inclusion of disability type in VCT registry books

8. Good practice 4: Mainstreaming of disability at HIV service provision level The process Disability accessibility audit with corrective measures Training of health staff Adaptation of IEC material accessible to PWD Support groups of PWD at health facilities The results Advocacy More PWD seeking HIV and SGBV services Increased knowledge and changed attitudes among health staff Identification of PWD by CHWs and follow-up Mobile VCT services for PWD Selected health facilities accessible to PWD

9. Good practice 5: Integration of SGBV protection in HIV programming The process Participation in the MOH SGBV technical group Peer education and mass awareness creation Training of service providers and institutional strengthening of CBOs District monthly consultative meetings The results Advocacy Improved coordination and working relations among HIV and SGBV actors Increased SGBV seeking services from PWD Integration of SGBV in UPHLS’ HIV programming Increased knowledge among health staff, CHWs, police and judiciary staff for providing services to PWD

10. Thank you Murakoze