Kija, Lukas Luhende2020-06-182020-06-182007Kija, L.L (2007) Problems affecting HIV/AIDS information dissemination to persons with visual impairment in Tanzania.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/12530Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF Z674.5.T34K54)People with disabilities are either consciously or unconsciously forgotten, ignored and discriminated in accessing HIV/AIDS information. This study investigated problems with access to HIV/AIDS information, education and communication services for persons with visual impairment in Tanzania. A combination of documentation as well as group discussions and interviews was used to 1dentrfy problems hindering the transcription, translation, and recording of literature on HIV .and AIDS into accessible formats across a sample of forty respondents strategically selected to the convenience of the researcher. Findings of the study reveal that key service providers occasionally disseminated information about HIVIAIDS issues to primary and secondary school Teachers, college Tutors, and a few urban residents with visual impairment through conducting seminars and providing few publications in Braille. However, policies and programmes combating HIVIAIDS largely excluded visually impaired people. Similarly, the study discovered that visually impaired people's access to accurate and timely HIVIAIDS information was constrained by limited resources in terms of funds, competent and committed personnel; poverty; low literacy rates and limited levels of education amongst the visually impaired people. Consequently, visually impaired people were less informed about how best they could protect themselves or others from HIV. They felt rather discriminated. Based on the findings the study concludes that there is less attention to people with disabilities than able-bodied people on HIV/AIDS education. Subsequently the study recommends the following:- . Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, and individual volunteers within and outside Tanzania should invest in disseminating. HIV/AIDS information to visually impaired people and the disability community in general. Investments should focus on translating HIVIAIDS materials written in English into Kiswahili and transcribing ink-print literature on HIVIAIDS into Braille, large type and/or in speech. 2. Conduct inclusive seminars to rural and urban residents with visual impairment in public and private employment sector. Fellows and the entire community. This in tum could enhance their desire to change their health compromising behaviour to health enhancing behaviourenAids (Disease)Information disseminationVisually handicappedVissually handicapped personsTanzaniaThesis