Mark Gray has a long history of international consultancy work as a consultant, Conference Co- organiser and Conference speaker.
( 1995 to 2005 )European Blind Union (First International consultancy experience)
His experience in International Consultancy projects began with the European Blind Union (EBU), as RNIB’s representative on the European Committee of the Multi Handicapped Blind. Where he served from 1993 to 2005.
He was the co-organiser of two further international conferences. One on “Timely Intervention” (special help for special needs) in Bad Berleburg Germany, in 1995.
Followed by a second, in Athens Greece. “Transition to adult services” in 1998 on both occasions, Mark was heavily involved in the original consultancy design and development of the projects
ICEVI (1999-2003)
Mark was also a regular contributor to the International Council for the Education of the Visually Impaired (ICEVI). He was as a keynote speaker in two conferences. One in Krakow Poland in 1999, and another in the Netherlands in 2003.
NNLDN (2008)
Mark was involved in the planning and organisation of the first Irish National Network of Learning Disability Nursing (NNLDN) and intellectual disability Nursing Conference, at Trinity College Dublin in 2008. his experience in international consultancy proved invaluable in the development of this exciting conference programme
British Council Azerbaijan ( Most recent International Consultancy Work) 2015- 2022
Most recently, Mark has been providing international consultancy with the British Council in Azerbaijan. Beginning with running two days of specialist workshops for education professionals, who work with children with Autism, in Baku December 2015. His consultancy has been extended following this initial project to look at Employment and Human Rights for people with disabilities in Azerbaijan.
(Participants from the Baku workshops December 2015)
Mark travelled out again to Baku in December 2017. Where he was the Keynote speaker on “Employment of People with Disabilities”. A conference Commissioned By the British Council and BP.
This formed part of phase one on a nationwide project. Launching equality legislation, and rehabilitation programmes for people with a disability across Azerbaijan.
In November 2019 he was invited as an international consultant to work with the Ministry of Labour & Social protection. To review the progress on employment and rehabilitation since the Equality Act launch in Azerbaijan in 2018.
The project included a three day fact finding tour, meeting stakeholders, including government officials, NGO’s, people with disabilities, ministers, and rehabilitation programme participants.
This work culminated in a “Progress” conference, and a workshop for 70 government officials about developing reasonable adjustments, designing tax incentives for employers and accessibility in the workplace and environment.
A final report on these projects, with many recommendations was produced and delivered in December 2019.
It is hoped this will now result in an official visit by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Labour to the UK in 2023.
With phase three of the project completed in 2020 to 2022. It is hoped to look further at extending opportunities to apprenticeships and extending accessibility programmes. Also to the development of training programmes run by people with disabilities to employers and building designers.
Training In New Zealand for Visual Impairment Professionals 2024-2025
Mark has just completed a series of on line training workshops for Blind Low Vision Services New Zealand through a deal with Oculus Rehab service. The participants came from a wide area across North and South island and had bespoke training on Brain Injuries and SightLoss, Dementia & Sight Loss and Medication Risk Assesment.
The courses were well received by the participants who attended the time differences were a little challenging on the UK side but overall worked well and its hoped we can extend this service to the USA Canada and Austrailia in Future as well as more courses for New Zealand.
Ukraine 2025 (British Council Poland)
Mark recently completed a visit to Lviv as part of a project with the British Council in Poland looking at the plight of people with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Following a two day event held in Rzcescow Poland, hosted by the British Council. Mark was able to visit the Ukraine to see for himself the issues around provision for the disabled in a war situation. He has now completed an article called “Preparing for war and the care of people with learning disabilities and autism: implications for nursing practice.’ This will be published in Learning Disability Practice in the Autumn.
If you would like to know more about Consultancy or Training in the UK or overseas please contact me direct at mark@markgrayassociates.co.uk
