UK delegate Kevin Caulfield, who is disabled and has to travel with a
carer, received an email saying: "We seem unable to make arrangements
for your travel and stay in Trinidad that seem mutually acceptable."
Kevin commented: "We are not all left able-bodied by HIV and cannot
fit into the general arrangements. It is not my intention just to be an
angry man but there seem to be serious issues that need to be addressed
for the future."
African and Indian scholarship applicants were particularly badly hit.
The majority of Indian delegates hoping to attend were unable to.
Elango Ramachandar, President of the affiliated Indian organisation KNP+,
said: "I feel cheated. Umpteen requests for tickets to the conference
were not responded to, until I was sent a letter withdrawing my scholarship
four days before I was due to go."
Rejected scholarship applications would be given preferential treatment
for the next conference, promised Stu Flavell, International Organiser
of organisers the Global Network of People with HIV/Aids (GNP+).
At the Conference's closing ceremony, GNP+ board member Milly Katuma said:
"We promise to do better next time."
Despite these problems, the conference earned praise for its organisation
from those who were able to attend. Gus
Cairns
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