I have drawn experience specialising in vision impairment, autism and multiple disability whilst working within hospital based child development centres, an independent residential special school, an independent residential special further education college, a local authority peripatetic visual impairment team and charities supporting children, young people and their families.
My degree is in autism, Diploma in Rehabilitation (Visual Impairment) whilst also being qualified and experienced in social work (Dip SW) and teaching (Cert Ed).
BACKGROUND
A deep respect for diversity began having been brought up in a social housing community. Formal education took place via local Primary and Secondary schools. Education for me has almost always been an ongoing process consumed during paid employment; time at Ruskin College studying English literature and modern European drama being an exception. There were hiccups along the way when for example having to retake exams – soil mechanics and then Braille.
I spent twelve years in the forces, Royal Artillery to be precise followed by the goal orientated construction industry as a civil engineer. The army possibly being the biggest further education placement in the country and involved working closely alongside people who’ve often significantly under achieved during formal education especially literacy and numeracy.
During my late thirties and the self examination many experience then, along with an economic recession I retrained as social and rehabilitation workers specialising in visual impairment. This involved studying full-time and working in a residential special school part-time.
After working for two local authorities I was offered a teaching post. Qualification took place whilst teaching. During this period I also studied for a degree in autism because the placement once specialising primarily in visual impairment changed its remit taking learners with autism, with or without a visual impairment. During this time I was a trustee with a national charity supporting children and young people visually impaired along with their families.
Next, I began working with charities as an advocate and special educational needs advisor supporting families with children visually impaired and/or autistic and/or multi disabled. This then morphed into me doing it independently, especially the role of expert witness along with writing books and posting free information on my web site.
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
My interest and hobbies include,
- Cooking culturally diverse, largely fish and vegetarian food
- Walking and the gym twice a week
- Eco gardening
- Practicing the Euphonium and playing with a local brass band
- Motor bikes especially a CX 500
Having been told at an early age to avoid fast women, fast motor bikes and slow Greyhounds I now watch,
- Speedway, Moto GP and Greyhound racing
Along with,
- Wolverhampton Wanderers FC during home games
I do not watch TV and get my news from the internet for example MeidasTouch Network and Al Jazeera English.
Rgds
Clive
PS. How can you conspire with life to create the best possible future for yourself in the coming months? What well-informed and ingenious approaches can you use to get the most out of the materials and experiences you are presented with? Don’t forget, if you don’t do it, who will?