Group Crafts HIV Videos in Sign Language

A San Francisco organization is stepping in to fill a gap in HIV prevention materials for deaf Americans with two new videos conducted entirely in American Sign Language. Although English-language HIV prevention material is widely available, many deaf children and adults rely solely on ASL to communicate, and the differences between the two languages can serve as a barrier to conveying effective prevention messages. The videos will be produced by the Bay Area's Deaf Gay and Lesbian Center through a $5,000 grant from the Horizons Foundation, and will focus on HIV prevention and the dangers of crystal methamphetamine use.