Sense International helps deafblind people in less developed countries to communicate, connect, interact and flourish
Sense International provides specialist training, information and support to ensure that every person living with deafblindness can achieve their full potential
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Sense International works in partnership to provide services and raise awareness of the needs of deafblind people and their families so they can connect, participate and contribute to their communities.
Magally's story
Magally Minaya Rodriguez is the first deafblind person who works for a government institution in Peru. She is 35 years old and lives with her mother, sister and nephew.
She was born visually impaired and was diagnosed as hearing impaired at age 12.
Magally was educated at a school for the visually impaired in Lima, CEBE San Francisco de Asis, which is a Sense International (Peru) partner.
As an adult, she was supported by the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind People of Lima (CERCIL).
She also participated in a leadership course run by Mobility International USA, which led to her being employed by Sense International (Peru) to share her training with deafblind people and organisations.
She has always received the support of her family who have seen her become more assertive and more independent. Her mother said: "I'm very proud of Magally because she has worked hard and has managed to be a professional".
In October 2012, Magally started working for the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (CONADIS), making it the first public institution in Peru to hire a deafblind person. Sense International (Peru) supported CONADIS throughout the recruitment process.
Magally’s role is "deafblind specialist" and she is currently working on increasing awareness of deafblindness in government institutions, and on their compliance to their legal obligations.