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Philip Gerrard is a British deaf rights advocate and the Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Action, a Scotland-based charity supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people..[1] He has been involved in national campaigns on accessibility and inclusion, including advocacy for the use of transparent face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve communication access for Deaf people.[2]
Under Gerrard’s leadership, Deaf Action established the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, a cultural festival within the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that showcases Deaf-led performance and creativity.[3] He was also a founding member of UK Deaf Sport, the national governing body for deaf sport in the United Kingdom, established in 2003.[4] In 2026, Gerrard was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Deaf community, cultural inclusion and disability rights[5][6].
Career
editGerrard became Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Action, one of Scotland’s longest-established Deaf organisations.[7] In this role, he has focused on accessibility, cultural inclusion and Deaf-led initiatives, alongside public advocacy and engagement with policymakers. He has represented Deaf perspectives in national media and contributed to public debate on disability rights and inclusion.
Advocacy and clear mask campaign
editDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Gerrard was a public advocate for the use of transparent face masks to address communication barriers faced by Deaf people and those who rely on lip-reading[8]. In June 2020, he was quoted in The Guardian as part of a campaign calling for wider availability and testing of see-through masks[9]
He also appeared on national broadcast media, including BBC Breakfast, discussing the impact of opaque face coverings on Deaf communication and accessibility.[10]
Edinburgh Deaf Festival
editUnder Gerrard’s leadership, Deaf Action established the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which launched as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe[11]. The festival was created to provide a dedicated platform for Deaf artists, performers and audiences, and to promote Deaf culture within Scotland’s wider cultural landscape.
The festival has received coverage in national and specialist media, including The Guardian, FringeReview, Disability Arts Online, and The Edinburgh Reporter.[12][13][14][15]
UK Deaf Sport
editHonours
editReferences
edit- ↑ Davis, Nicola (2020-06-16). "Charities for deaf people call for more see-through face masks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Davis, Nicola (2020-06-16). "Charities for deaf people call for more see-through face masks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Hall, Rachel (2022-08-11). "'We do turn up the bass': deaf ravers party at first Edinburgh deaf festival". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "History of UKDS". UK Deaf Sport. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (2025-12-31). "CEO of Deaf Action honoured by the King". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Charity sector figures named in New Year Honours List 2026". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (2025-12-31). "CEO of Deaf Action honoured by the King". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Davis, Nicola (2020-06-16). "Charities for deaf people call for more see-through face masks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Davis, Nicola (2020-06-16). "Charities for deaf people call for more see-through face masks". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ BBC Breakfast (2020-05-21). How will face masks impact those with hearing impairments?. Retrieved 2026-02-11 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Edinburgh's newest festival will put deaf performers and audiences centre stage". www.edfringe.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Thomas, Olivia (2024-08-15). "Scottish Government must act to secure Deaf Festival's future". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Opinion - Joanna Matthews - Edinburgh Deaf Festival: A feast for all". disabilityarts.online. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Insight into Edinburgh Deaf Festival". FringeReview. 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Hall, Rachel (2022-08-11). "'We do turn up the bass': deaf ravers party at first Edinburgh deaf festival". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "History of UKDS". UK Deaf Sport. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Philip Gerrard MBE". UK Deaf Sport. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Stephen, Phyllis (2025-12-31). "CEO of Deaf Action honoured by the King". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Charity sector figures named in New Year Honours List 2026". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
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