• A A A

Martin Rees

Martin Rees is an independent Visual Impairment Consultant working for Focal Point UK. He is a qualified Vision Rehab Worker who graduated in August 1998 with a Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies (visual impairment) from the School of Rehabilitation at Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Hindhead, Surrey).

After graduating, he worked for Bath and North East Somerset social services for a year from September 1998 to September 1999. Martin then moved on to work for the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) in Bristol, as a member of the rehab team from September 1999 to January 2008. Whilst working in the RNIB rehab team, Martin was responsible for undertaking rehab assessments and training with individual service users, and managing his own case load.

In January 2008 Martin joined Focal Point UK as a Visual Impairment consultant. He works on short and long term contracts for local authorities and voluntary sector organisations: Swansea Education Department, Swansea Social Services, Blaenau-Gwent Social Services, Gwent Association for the Blind (GAB), Merthyr Tydfil Social Services, Rhondda-Cynon-Taff Social Services, Vision North Somerset, Gloucester University, Newport University, Swansea University, Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Welsh Assembly Government.

This work includes assessment of needs, indoor/outdoor O&M training, Independent Living Skills training, communications training (including Braille tuition) and assessment and issue of appropriate equipment. Martin also has experience of working with both adults and children but has experience in: mental health, learning difficulties, amputees (and double amputees), wheelchair, mobility scooters deaf blind, counselling. Also Martin has experience of joint working with social workers, Optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists, specialist teachers, Low Vision Services.

Martin has experience of handling equipment budgets and managing waiting lists to meet service needs. He has also previously been a placement tutor on several occasions for vision rehab students on the Birmingham City University rehab course.