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To keep the momentum going and build on that shared energy, we are excited to offer several upcoming events and research opportunities for you to get involved in.
To keep the momentum going and build on that shared energy, we are excited to offer several upcoming events and research opportunities for you to get involved in.
CURRENT Canadian Research Projects
CURRENT Canadian Research Projects
We often hear in our programs and across professional development settings that published research is rarely relevant to the Canadian context. The reality is that only a small number of us in Canada are conducting research directly related to vision professionals—and we cannot do this work without your support and involvement. Please consider contributing to the following ongoing projects, some of which may already be in your inbox or arriving soon.
Note: links are not published to the surveys to avoid bot/AI-bot interference. Please contact the researchers directly.
Are you a vision professional who also has a visual impairment?
Are you a vision professional who also has a visual impairment?
Dear colleague,
We are conducting a survey study titled: Exploring Lived and Professional Experiences of Vision Professionals with a Visual Impairment. The study is conducted by Erika Fundelius, Ph.D. at The University of British Columbia (BC BREB NUMBER: H24-01126).
We are seeking participants to take a 10-20 minutes long, anonymous Qualtrics survey form to help us examine what motivated individuals with visual impairments to seek a career as vision professionals (e.g., teacher of students with visual impairments, orientation and mobility specialist), how these individuals describe their lived experiences in terms of societal and organizational attitudes, accessibility, and how do they view their role as adults with visual impairments in the education of students in K-12 setting.
You may participate in this study if:
You are a teacher of students with visual impairments or an orientation and mobility specialist,
You are working or have worked in elementary and secondary education settings (i.e., Prek-12),
You have a diagnosed congenital or acquired visual impairment that qualifies you as a visually impaired professional under federal or provincial law/regulations.
For the survey link or any questions and enquiries about the survey kindly contact:
Erika Fundelius, Ph.D. TSVI, COMS
Assistant Professor
Online Orientation and Mobility Performance Measures Questionnaire
Online Orientation and Mobility Performance Measures Questionnaire
Dear fellow O&Ms,
I am reaching out to invite you to participate in an online survey for O&Ms as part of a new research project that aims at optimizing O&M performance measures in everyday environments run by Casandly and Esther, our Master's students at the Université de Montréal in Vision Science (O&M and LVT) in Joe Nemargut's O&M laboratory.
The aim of the project is to understand how O&M professionals assess functional mobility skills in real world situations. Hence, the survey seeks to find what evaluation methods you use currently in your assessments, and what you would like to use.
Your participation will be strictly confidential, and any information shared will be for the sole purpose of the project. You will receive compensation for your participation and completion. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
This project was approved by the clinical ethics board of the Université de Montréal.
For the survey link or any questions and enquiries about the survey kindly contact:
Joe Nemargut, Ph.D., COMS
Assistant Professor
School of Optometry / Université de Montréal
UPCOMING Canadian Research Projects
UPCOMING Canadian Research Projects
These studies are in the planning stages (e.g., ethics applications under review, materials development), and the hope is to deploy them in the next academic year (2026/27).
Action Research for
Action Research for
O&M Skills
O&M Skills
Upcoming Study: Interested in collaborating on an action research project to promote O&M for students with additional disabilities?
Please reach out to Dr. Kim Zebehazy at UBC via email: kim.zebehazy@ubc.ca.
She hopes to get a group of interested OMS or TSVI/OMS to work with one of their students on a scripted mobility route tailored to the student’s needs.
Action Research for
Action Research for
Caseload vs. Workload
Caseload vs. Workload
Upcoming Study: Interested in collaborating on an action research project to evaluate workload vs. caseload differences? This means that we will be looking at the difference you CAN spend on work/direct instruction with your student, versus what SHOULD be done to best support the student in question for the best quality of life outcomes in adulthood. Students K-12, blind or low vision, with or without additional needs will be included.
Please reach out to Dr. Erika Fundelius at UBS via email: erika.fundelius@ubc.ca
She hopes to get a group of interested TSVIs or TSVI/OMS working in K-12 settings, as we believe the results will serve as a solid advocacy tool toward administrations.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
BRAILLE SYMPOSIUM
BRAILLE SYMPOSIUM
Braille Literacy Canada / Littératie braille Canada is delighted to invite you to our 6th Braille Symposium, Six Dots, No Limits – Six Points sans Limites, taking place on the afternoon of Friday, May 22, 2026.
Join us from 1:00–5:00 PM EDT (10:00 AM Pacific, 11:00 AM Mountain, 11:00 AM Saskatchewan/Central, 2:00 PM Atlantic, 2:30 PM Newfoundland) for a fun and informative event.
Whether you’re a braille reader, educator, transcriber, parent, producer, or passionate about braille literacy, this symposium offers something for you.This year’s program features engaging presentations from international speakers, exploring topics such as:
• Expanding library accessibility for braille readers
• Emerging innovations in braille technology
• Adult braille learning journeys
• Integrating 3D models with braille and tactile graphics
Following last year’s success, with over 100 participants from across Canada and around the world, we’re excited to bring together vibrant and diverse speakers and topics. All presentations will be recorded.The event is free for BLC members (including members of corporate member organizations) and $20 for non-members. Not yet a member? Annual membership is just $20 and open to Canadians. Visit our membership section to learn more.
Please note:
• Registration closes on Thursday, May 21, 2026
• Live automatic captioning will be provided (for the English presentations)
• Written transcripts will be available after the event
• Once you register, your request will be reviewed and a Zoom link will be sent to you within a few days.
If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you at info@blc-lbc.ca .We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of learning, connection, and inspiration!
FLYERS
SPACE CAMP
SPACE CAMP
Do you know a child that would benefit from an extra challenge in space science, robotics, aviation or math? Are you looking for a meaningful way to encourage braille reading? The use of low vision devices? Cane skills? Or, social skills? SCIVIS does just that! SCIVIS is a magical opportunity for students to integrate the functional use of skills in math, science and language arts with all of the areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum for the Visually Impaired. Many students leave SCIVIS not just with more knowledge of space and science but also with more confidence in themselves!
Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS) is held the last week in September at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Over the past 35 years it has attracted students from dozens of countries and almost every state. In 2025, 141 students from 30 states and 6 countries participated.
Limited financial support is available through grants, local and state agencies and national organizations. For more information about scholarships, accommodations and registration or visit our website, please contact:
Dan Oates, scivis.oates@gmail.com
Trina Britcher, trbritcher@aol.com
DATES: Sept. 27 to Oct. 1
CANADIAN CONTACT:
Lynn Langille
Eye See You Consulting -
Email: lynn@eyeseeyouconsulting.ca
Phone: 250-718-5575
FLYERS
AER BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
AER BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
AER International Conference 2026
AER International Conference 2026
July 29 – August 2, 2026
July 29 – August 2, 2026
REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD ADMISSION!
The AER International Conference has a long and meaningful history as one of the leading global gatherings for professionals in the field of visual impairment and blindness. Since its inception, the conference has served as a cornerstone event for educators, rehabilitation specialists, orientation and mobility instructors, researchers, and advocates, providing a vital forum for sharing innovations, best practices, and emerging research.
Held biennially, the AER International Conference fosters collaboration, professional development, and advocacy, uniting experts and organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Its legacy reflects AER’s enduring commitment to advancing education, accessibility, and independence through professional excellence and a strong, connected community of vision professionals worldwide.
Visit the AER International Conference website for additional information.
Early Bird extended to May 3, 2026 REGISTER
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Did you know that there is a local publication for Canadian members? Your AER Canadian Quarterly Newsletter AERODYNAMICS! See the Spring 2026 Issue
Questions?
Questions?
Contact the team at sbth2026@gmail.com with any questions or comments related to the webpage (e.g., broken links), otherwise please reach out to the organizers and researcher related to the projects on this page. Thank you!
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement
The Steering Committee of the conference would like to acknowledge that the majority of the event planning and organization is taking place on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), QayQayt First Nation, Kwantlen, q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Stó:lō Nation.
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