Dr Philip Gafga is deafblind with advanced Usher Syndrome. He went to Durham University to read Economics and obtained his Bachelor's degree in 1985. He went on to do postgraduate research in Monetary Economics for his Master's degree. After a few months circumnavigating the world solo, taking in Australia, New Zealand and America, Dr Gafga went on to do further postgraduate research in Financial Economics and received his PhD after submitting a thesis on the economic forecasting aspects of the yield curve (opens a PDF file from Durham University Library). Dr Gafga was actively involved as a trustee for deafblind charities, Sense and Deafblind UK. At Sense, Dr Gafga was a member of Sense Council and was the Council Management Link on public policy and campaigns. In 1999, Dr Gafga joined the board of trustees at Deafblind UK and took on a leading role as Chair for nearly 10 years. Early in his tenure as Chair, Deafblind UK and Sense campaigned jointly to persuade the Department of Health to bring out Section 7 guidance for deafblind people. Dr Gafga has accumulated much experience of using technology and adapting computers and software to make them more accessible to deafblind people who are either severely or profoundly deaf.
View all authorsIn today's world, we frequently hear about awareness months, weeks or days that strive to shine the spotlight on social concerns, medical conditions and disability issues. The main objective of these campaigns is to promote greater awareness among the public and giving clear signposts for action in terms of how society can change attitudes and realign perceptions in a more positive light.
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Section 7 Guidance was introduced to make sure that deafblind people can receive support and services they require from local authorities. Typically, this might consist of providing a communicator-guide service for a set number of hours per week which might be delivered under contract on specified days and times.
The following is taken from feedback received from Philip, deafblind himself, following Debbie James undertaking a Specialist Assessment and preparing a report which was commissioned by the Local Authority.