HIV education for the deaf, a vulnerable minority.

Large numbers of deaf and hard-of-hearing people are in danger of becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The deaf are particularly vulnerable because of language barriers, their unique culture, and the paucity of community services, educational programs, and general information directed to this population. The particular barriers that the deaf must face in learning about HIV protection range from inadequate schooling about human sexuality to the scarcity of locally available education programs outside the cities with high rates of HIV infection. The programs for the deaf in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City are described as well as the array of national efforts directed to this special population.