THE COMMUNITY ROADMAP TO U=U
Designing the Journey
For Community,
By Community
This helpful tool is designed for research and communications teams, outreach and engagement, program coordinators and managers, and anybody creating videos, social media content, or awareness campaigns on Undetectable = Untransmittable.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Canadian AIDS Society serves people affected by HIV across what we now call Canada, and we acknowledge First Nations, Inuit and Métis people as being the original inhabitants of the land that we work, live and play on. They have cared for and nurtured the lands long before the arrival of European settlers. We honour the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, their individual cultures and protocals, while respecting their collective and individual losses due to colonization, theft of their land, and continued systemic discrimination.
The Canadian AIDS Society recognizes our responsibility to learn from the past, and work with Indigenous communities in meaningful ways to ensure their voices and needs are not only heard but addressed. We are committed to supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and cultural ways of life.
We hope this acknowledgment will inspire others to demonstrate their support and respect for the Indigenous communities, and invite everyone to further learn of the people who had supported the lands we live on prior to colonization.
We are committed to continually acting in support of and in solidarity with Black communities seeking freedom and reparative justice in light of the history and ongoing legacy of slavery that continues to impact Black communities in Canada.
As part of this commitment, we would also like to acknowledge that not all people came to these lands as migrants and settlers. Specifically, we wish to acknowledge those of us who came here involuntarily, particularly those brought to these lands as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery.
We pay tribute to those ancestors of African origin and descent.
TOPICS
To ensure a successful learning and knowledge sharing experience, this tool is divided in 6 topics with the following components:
- Education + Addressing the Gaps
- Addressing Stigma
- How to Communicate
- Support and Empowerment
- Designing the Communication
- A Call to Action
At the top of each page are symbols to identify how to proceed.
This training was developed for,
by and with input from:
The Community Road Map was created as a guide to ensure that U=U messaging reaches historically unreached communities by using community expertise to inform the production of materials or modules.
In Calgary, AB, on March 12-13, 2024, the Canadian AIDS Society brought together 86 experts living with HIV and newly diagnosed people to discuss the intersections and complexities faced by populations most affected by HIV. Our intent is to ensure that information about U=U is relevant and disseminated where it is most needed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this training, you will have the knowledge to effectively develop U=U information and resources to support and advocate for the mental health and well-being of people living with HIV, addressing stigma and promoting equitable access to resources.
Promote the Health Benefits of Maintained Viral Suppression:
- Communicate the health benefits of achieving and maintaining viral suppression to individuals living with HIV.
- U=U as a positive mental health indicator.
Reduce Stigma and Discrimination:
- Develop strategies to challenge and reduce stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV.
Gain Understanding of Perspectives from Equity Deserving Communities:
- Appreciate the intersectional factors influencing health outcomes and well-being within these communities.
Assess Gaps in Existing U=U Resources:
- Develop strategies to make U=U information more relatable and accessible to diverse populations.
- Early mental health interventions, stages of diagnosis – ensure that U=U is discussed prior to diagnosis and point of care testing (including pre-test counselling).