Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have continued to suffer structural marginalization across various spheres/sectors. This is seen in Health, Education, Agriculture, etc. In fact, it has been argued that “Impairment + Barrier = Disability”. In analysing and putting this into perspective, an impairment without any structural barrier has been argued to not mean Disability. Although this school of thought could suffer some criticism, it still presents some truth about the marginalizations suffered by PWDs. This marginalization is present in both developing and developed contexts.

It is, therefore, on such premise that I will be diving deeper to undertake a study titled “Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Nigeria”. This study is being funded through the Queensland University of Technology Postgraduate Research Award (QUTPRA) scheme; a scholarship awarded to students of exceptional research potential undertaking a higher degree by research in Australia.

Today I had my first supervision meeting with my 3 amazing supervisors, Dr.Julie Anne King Dr. Jo Durham and Dr. Kaeleen Dingle. Drawing from their wealth of academic and professional experience, they have signposted me towards a more critical path and will remain my guide for the next 36 months.

For researchers in the field of HIV and Disability programs, I look forward to a healthy exchange of ideas as I journey on this path. Let us connect.

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