SEE HER | STORY 4
Don't See My Disability Before You See Me.
UCHE’S STORY
"I am a physiotherapist, and I also live with a disability. Because of this, I understand the challenges from both sides of the healthcare system. For many women with disabilities, the barriers begin long before we reach a hospital. Transportation is expensive, health facilities may be far away, and simply getting to care can feel impossible. But perhaps the greatest barrier is how society sees us. Too often, we are treated as though our voices, our choices, and even our sexuality do not matter. People assume we do not need information about HIV or sexual and reproductive health because they fail to see us as women with the same rights, relationships, and aspirations as everyone else. What I want is simple: healthcare professionals who listen without judgment, communicate honestly, and treat every person with dignity. Inclusion begins when we stop seeing disability first and start seeing the person."
REFLECTION
What assumption about women with disabilities did this story challenge for you?
SEE HER | STORY 3
Everyone deserves the knowledge to protect their health.
FLORA'S STORY
"I believe that people with disabilities should have the same access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health information as everyone else. Too often, they are left behind because information is not accessible, and opportunities to learn are limited. When people cannot access the information they need, they are placed at greater risk and may struggle to protect their health or seek services. Stigma and discrimination only make these challenges even greater. I believe we can change this. By working together, communities, organisations, and partners can ensure that people with disabilities are reached with accessible information, supported without discrimination, and included in HIV programmes. We all deserve the knowledge, support, and opportunity to live healthy lives."
REFLECTION
What assumption about women with disabilities did this story challenge for you?
SEE HER | STORY 2
Having HIV and a disability does not mean life is over.
LILIAN'S STORY
"I believe that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunity to learn about HIV, protect their health, and live with hope. Too often, when someone has both a disability and HIV, society treats them as though they have lost their value or their future. I want people to know that HIV is not the end of life. With the right information, support, and encouragement, people with disabilities can continue to learn, work, contribute to their communities, and pursue their dreams. I hope organisations, governments, and communities will work together to ensure that disability-inclusive HIV programmes reach every district, every village, and every person who needs them. Everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, hope, and equal opportunity."
REFLECTION
What assumption about women with disabilities did this story challenge for you?
SEE HER | STORY 1
People with disabilities living with HIV often have nowhere to turn for emotional support.
ZITA’S STORY
"When disability and HIV intersect, everyday challenges become even greater. I have seen how communication barriers, inaccessible HIV information, and limited access to testing, counselling, and treatment make it difficult for many people with disabilities to receive the care they need. Too often, stigma and discrimination leave people feeling isolated and afraid to seek help or even learn about HIV. I believe this can change. When communities listen, health services become more inclusive, and organisations create safe spaces for support, people with disabilities can access HIV services with dignity, confidence, and hope."
REFLECTION
What assumption about women with disabilities did this story challenge for you?
SEE HER - THE VOICE WALL
LISTENING TO LIVED EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES IN HIV AND SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The Voices Wall is an interactive storytelling experience developed by the Stellaheart of Passion Foundation in partnership with FDH Tanzania. Through authentic lived experiences, this activity highlights the barriers, resilience, and aspirations of women and girls with disabilities in accessing HIV and sexual and reproductive health services. These stories invite us to move beyond assumptions, listen with empathy, and reflect on how inclusive health systems can ensure that no one is left behind.
HEAR HER - MYTH VS REALITY
AN EVIDENCE-TO-ACTION GUIDE ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE HIV SERVICES
HEAR HER: Myth or Reality? is an interactive Evidence-to-Action Guide developed by the Stellaheart of Passion Foundation to challenge common misconceptions about disability inclusion in HIV services. Drawing on findings from our Evidence Gap Review, this activity invites participants to distinguish myths from realities, explore the evidence, and reflect on how HIV programmes can become more accessible, equitable, and inclusive for women and girls with disabilities. Together, we move beyond assumptions and towards evidence-informed action that leaves no one behind.
DESIGN WITH HER
CO-DESIGNING DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE HIV SERVICES THROUGH REAL-WORLD SCENARIOS
DESIGN WITH HER is an interactive accessibility challenge developed by the Stellaheart of Passion Foundation to encourage collaborative problem-solving for disability-inclusive HIV services. Through realistic scenarios inspired by barriers experienced by women and girls with disabilities, participants are invited to identify challenges, question assumptions, and propose practical solutions. The activity demonstrates that inclusion is achieved not by expecting people to adapt to inaccessible systems, but by intentionally designing HIV programmes that are accessible, equitable, and responsive to diverse needs.
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