Information & Access

The Information and Access Working Group (IAWG) focuses upon the priority to develop an accessible, coordinated HIV/AIDS service information system. The Working Group began meeting in 2006 bringing together local service information activities in Toronto into a partnership with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN). To date, two key strategies have been developed to facilitate access to information on services:

1. ASO411 is an interactive mapping system that provides access to up-to-date information about HIV related services offered at AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and other organizations. The Working Group advises on its development in partnership with the OHTN and, as of 2009, with the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). ASO 411 is now building service information Canada wide and has added explanatory text in French. THN has contributed a Spanish translation of the same text which will appear soon. Another important feature is the option to print out the results of a search of only the services you are interested in. This also makes it easier for service providers to assist people without access to the internet.
2. The IAWG advises the HIV/AIDS Community Calendar, a monthly calendar of programs and events for people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto, administered by the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).

Membership

Participants include community members and representatives from: the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), Casey House, Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), Hemophilia Ontario, LOFT Community Services, Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre, Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA).

Documents

• working group - terms of reference, Oct 15, 2009
• ASO411 poster
• ASO411 Poster at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Conference, 2008
• ASO411 postcard
• Community Calendar postcard

Links