Birmingham

Mark Sanders

Council member Mark Sanders has had Macular Degeneration since his teens. On the council, Mark is the representative for Transport and has worked on highlighting the impact of infrastructure, for example using tactile paving on rail platforms and crossing control points for safety. Mark has also worked with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) earning a commendation for his instrumental role in the development of a minor eye conditions service. In 2018, the NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG awarded him with the Award of Patient Recognition. Congratulations Mark!

Jordan Long

I have been a Birmingham Sight Loss Council Member since 2017. I enjoy working on Technology and Transport accessibility. I have also been involved with website testing and app testing.

I’ve just graduated from Queen Alexandra College in Birmingham, with qualifications in IT Level 2 & 3.

In my spare time I love photography and performing as a DJ at events and private functions

Tanzeel Yousaf

Tanzeel has Retinitis Pigmentosa and is a member of the Birmingham Sight Loss Council, representing the community at policy-making and planning stages of key services. His work involves ensuring that future services are more inclusive and better cater to the needs of the sight loss community. Tanzeel has a PhD in Biomedicine and has previously worked for the employment team at Action for Blind People (now RNIB). A big advocate of Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Tanzeel is particularly interested in making technology more accessibility for blind and partially sighted people.

Ian McNamara

I’ve been blind since birth and I was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity. I have been a Birmingham Sight Loss Council member since 2017 and my interests are in Accessibility and VoiceOver for Apple devices. I previously worked at Apple as a Customer Service specialist.

I am passionate about access for blind and partially sighted people in Birmingham and am keen to help to improve the daily lives of people living with visual impairment in and around the city.

Sarah Loat

I have worked within the sight loss sector for over 8 years, having been diagnosed with Retinopathy a decade ago. As a teacher at Queen Alexander College and a Sight Loss Council member since 2017, I am passionate about improving services and accessibility in the region. Throughout my career I have worked and volunteered for a number of organisations through the sight loss sector including, Worcestershire Sight Concern, Victoria School and specialist arts College multi-sensory impairment unit, FOCUS Birmingham, Action for the Blind and Guide Dogs.

Most of my spare time is spent being a mummy to my young son. I also love going to the theatre, travelling and exploring new places.

Ahmed

Hi, my name is Ahmed and I have been Visually Impaired for the last few years with Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Degeneration. He have been with the Birmingham SLC from the very beginning. I originally joined to get out and about meeting new people and to explore what was available to VI people in the city.

I currently work full time at the Queen Alexandra College as a Lighting Technician and have also enjoyed being a volunteer at Birmingham Vision. In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor sporting activities and I have also completed the Birmingham Marathon!

My confidence has grown massively since joining the Sight Loss Council it really brought me out of my cubby hole as before I felt locked away.

Steve

I have been registered blind all my life and have no useful vision. I joined the Birmingham SLC 2 years a go, primarily to help increase the services available to blind and partially sighted people in and around Birmingham.

I have a background in Counselling, specialising in drug and alcohol addiction. I have also previously worked as a holistic therapist with attention in aromatherapy.

In my spare time I enjoy watching Formula 1, rock climbing and participating in outdoor activities.

Wayne

I have been Visually Impaired since I was a small child. I joined the Birmingham SLC around two years ago to highlight the issues Blind and Partially sighted people face in Birmingham.

I have previously worked in a specialist school as a teaching assistant and an inclusion development practitioner supporting young people with disabilities, helping them to access sports and leisure facilities.

I am in my final year at University studying Counselling, Young People and Adult Studies.

In my spare time, I am currently learning to play the saxophone, I enjoy socialising with friends and can often be found on a Friday night at the pub!

Liane

I have been registered Blind since birth with septo-optic dysplasia. As a Sight Loss Council member, I enjoy getting involved with promoting, raising awareness and giving feedback around visual impairment in my local community.

I am hoping to start University in 2021 studying Health and Social Care. I love socialising and getting out and about participating in Street Dance lessons and performances along with my Black Labrador Guide Dog, Ralph!

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, you can often find me presenting an Online Radio Show for the VIP Lounge.