Upcoming fireside chat for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind students, recent students, faculty, and staff at Canadian universities or colleges

Come to this Zoom meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern. This meeting is for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind individuals at Canadian universities or colleges. Register via Zoom or Microsoft Forms.

The meeting aims to build a community of blind people in Canadian universities and colleges. It will feature a fireside chat with Dr. Natalina Martiniello, who recently launched the Martiniello Braille Research Lab at the Université de Montréal. Following the discussion with Martiniello, attendees will have time to socialize and build connections with each other.

Martiniello is a professor at the School of Optometry, Université de Montréal and a lifelong braille user. She leads a research program that is unique in Canada and among the few globally to focus on advancing braille literacy and non-visual accessibility beyond childhood. You can learn more about her research at the Martiniello Braille Research Lab.

Automated captions will be available through Zoom during the meeting. The opening and fireside chat portion will be recorded so proof-read transcripts can be made available to attendees who find barriers in Zoom or can’t attend. A temporary email list for this event is also being created.

This meeting is co-hosted by Dr. Laura Bulk (UBC), Dr. Cynthia Bruce (Concordia), Dr. Natalina Martiniello (Université de Montréal), and Dr. Mark Weiler (Laurier).

For questions, email Mark Weiler at mweiler@wlu.ca.