Notre Dame professor, students create design campaign to help South Africans with HIV 'live positively' | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame professor, students create design campaign to help South Africans with HIV 'live positively' Notre Dame professor, students create design campaign to help South Africans with HIV 'live positively' Published: November 08, 2013 Author: Carrie Gates The prevalence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa is an issue that continues to define the country and its citizens. It is estimated that more than 6 million South Africans live with HIV/AIDS. This is more cases than any other country in the world. In the spring, Robert Sedlack, associate professor in the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Art, Art History and Design, traveled with a team of 11 students to Johannesburg to gain firsthand perspective on the problem and collaborate with South African community organizations. Notre Dame design students Sara Kolettis, Laura Straccia and Maria Massa in South Africa “I never imagined that that was something within the scope of the University to do — to send me to South Africa to meet the people that I was trying to reach with my design projects,” said senior Maria Massa. “I got to really understand on a personal level what they need in this country and what I can actually do to make change.” In their research, the students found that one of the challenges facing the country is how to persuade South Africans with HIV to begin and maintain an antiretroviral (ARV) medication regimen. In 2007, only 28 percent of those infected were receiving ARV treatment, partly due to the stigma attached to the virus and the misconception that HIV is a “death sentence.” “The assumption once someone gets HIV is really misguided, actually,” said Sedlack. “And that’s one place that design and visual communication can come into play — by sharing the fact that these people can have long and healthy lives if they continue to take their antiretroviral medicines.” Sedlack and his students from the University’s College of Arts and Letters are responding to the challenge by designing resources that empower mothers and children with HIV/AIDS to “live positively.” The designers have created a wide range of solutions, including an online support community for young women, a video series and HIV-related educational materials for children, which they hope to share with teachers and community advocates. “The social model of design that we’re teaching students and that they’re practicing is using design to inform people, to educate people, to help change opinions, to help people grow and learn and live better lives,” Sedlack said. “And that’s how we at the University of Notre Dame see design.” Originally published by Carrie Gates at al.nd.edu on Nov. 4, 2013. Posted In: International Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related September 29, 2022 Notre Dame, Ukrainian Catholic University launch three new research grants September 27, 2022 Notre Dame, Trinity College Dublin engineers join to advance novel treatment for cystic fibrosis September 12, 2022 Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street … in different countries? June 01, 2022 University of Notre Dame to establish consortium of Catholic universities to study Muslim-Christian relations May 03, 2022 Pulte Institute launches Central America Research Alliance For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn