Peter Cooke

Peter's  key experience of Rehabilitation Work arose from working in the heart of Birmingham area delivering rehabilitation assessment and training to people newly diagnosed with sight loss. This area of Birmingham was particularly challenging due to high numbers of people of working age whose sight loss was often accompanied by additional complex health conditions, disabilities and social issues.

Peter’s connection with the visual impairment sector began following his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was 15 years old. Early volunteering experience working with children and young people fostered an intrinsic interest in developing a career involving work with those living with serious sight loss.

In 1999, Peter joined Focus Birmingham, a local voluntary society supporting people with sight impairments, and worked as the Resource and Information Manager. In 2002, whilst stepping up into a Trainee Rehabilitation Worker role, he studied on the Dip HE Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) programme at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University). On qualifying, he entered a senior role developing a rehabilitation and information service at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre. This role involved conducting domiciliary Rehabilitation assessments and training with people living in the heart of Birmingham area. In 2008 Peter entered a management role at Focus Birmingham that encompassed overseeing Rehabilitation Workers, Community Workers and Hospital Information Services. In 2009, alongside this role, he started as a visiting teacher at Birmingham City University on the FdSc and BSc Rehabilitation Work courses. Peter then became a full-time Senior Lecturer in 2012 with responsibility for admissions and the coordination of several modules, including Low Vision Blindness and Impairment, Activities of Daily Living, and Communications and Low Vision Therapy.