Learning from each other.

While there are no figures on the proportion of disabled people infected with HIV, such individuals may be more vulnerable to HIV infection because of their circumstances. It is often assumed that disabled people do not have sexual feelings or cannot be sexually active, and therefore do not need to know about safer sex. Disabled people are often unable to negotiate what they want with other people and may be sexually abused or exploited. Organizations involved in disability or AIDS work need to consider the needs of disabled people who are worried about or have HIV or other sexual health concerns. Those needs include appropriate access to reproductive health services and supportive environments. Disabled people and people living with HIV can learn from each other by working together to improve access to information and services and through lobbying for equality and rights.