Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth in Kenya

Various studies have indicated the disparities that exist between Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth in relation to adequate and accurate sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Even when efforts are geared towards improving sexual and reproductive health services and information processes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, minimal adaption to the versatile virtual, social cultural, economic spaces in which these youth are embedded has compounded these disparities. This paper provides a perspective on these spaces from a perspective of the space they open and spaces that may close in such sites. We explore the various actual and symbolic services and information sites identified by Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth, how information is passed (pathways) in these sites, the barriers, tensions, attitudes of different providers at each site, as well as perceptions of effectiveness as well as normative and practical barriers. It is important to note that the problems Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth face are not just local, but should be seen from the context of both local level, contextual and macro level factors. In this paper therefore we also explore state policy and practice as an important site pertaining to people with disabilities but Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth in particular.