Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Centre
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March 2026 News

Share a clinical vignette!

During the last Vitality Survey, many of you expressed enthusiasm for the idea of setting up virtual exchange activities based on “clinical vignettes.” Good news: we are now launching this initiative!

In order to prepare for these meetings, we are asking for your contribution.

Email a short clinical situation (maximum 300 words to cdp.surdicecite.inlb@ssss.gouv.qc.ca) that presented a challenge in your professional practice with clients who are deafblind (e.g., impasse, unresolved issue, challenge or difficulty, obstacle, etc.). The story you share will serve as the starting point for a discussion focused on collaborative resolution of the situation.

The goal is to promote the sharing of best practices, intervention strategies, tools used, and field expertise in order to enrich each other and highlight the knowledge already held within our community of practice.

Your participation is essential to the success of these activities.

Thank you for your valuable collaboration.

cdp.surdicecite.inlb@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

 

23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation!

On February 3, the 23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation was held as part of White Cane Week. The development of partnerships between members of the sensory impairment ecosystem and the acquisition of new knowledge were at the heart of this day.

Several presentations were related to deafblindness. We are fortunate that several participants shared their documentation with us. We would like to draw your attention to some of these:

  • Dufour, J., Leroux, T., & Lavoie, M.-C. (2026, February 3). Evaluation of auditory localization with SÉLASPHÈRE: a clinical tool for safe travel for people with deafblindness. Oral presentation at the 23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation, Montreal, Quebec (Province).

Topics: Deafblindness; Auditory localization; Clinical tools; Safe travel; Interdisciplinarity; Participatory research.

  • Hammouni, Z., El Fekih, S., Landry Gendron, P.-É., Zabyalo, C., & Jebson, V. (2026, February 3). Towards accessible single-level facilities for people with visual impairments: a co-design approach. Oral presentation at the 23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation, Montreal, Quebec (Province).

Topics: Visual impairment; Universal design; Urban design; Pedestrian zones; Tactile boundaries; Podo-tactile surfaces (pedestrian signage); Collaborative approach; Montreal.

  • Martiniello, N., Wittich, W., Lemire, M.-C., Bergevin, M., Cantin, S., Desir, J., Ding, Z. H., & Rathwell, J. (2026, February 3). Co-developing evidence-based indicators to guide the choice of braille devices: factors to consider. Oral presentation at the 23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation, Montreal, Quebec (Province).

Topics: Braille; Innovations; Braille display; Reading speed; Reading tests; IReST; Adults; Seniors.

  • Wittich, W., Dumassais, S., Kamenopoulou, L., Simcock, P., & Prain, M. (2026, February 3). Barriers and facilitators to education for adults with congenital deafblindness in low-resource contexts. Oral presentation at the 23rd Scientific Symposium on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation, Montreal, Quebec (Province).

Topics: Deafblindness; Social indicators; Education; Work; Social exclusion; Stigmatization (Social psychology); Disability awareness; Developing countries; Adults; Interviews.

 

You can find all the documentation by following this link:Extranet of the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille.

The poster session highlighted the work of researchers, clinicians, and master’s and doctoral students.

The 24th Scientific Symposium is scheduled for 2028. See you there!

 

Upcoming CRIR-INLB conference

Did you know that some children with very low vision or blindness (including deafblindness) may exhibit behaviors similar to those observed in children with autism spectrum disorder? This similarity can sometimes be confusing for professionals. To support clinical practices, a psychologist and a neuropsychologist from the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre have developed a clinical guide that they will present at this conference.

Title: Differentiating autism spectrum disorder from visual impairment: behavioral and developmental characteristics of blind and functionally blind children.

 

Speakers: Martine Blanchette, Ph.D., psychologist with the Childhood-Youth Program at the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille, and Marjolaine Lafortune, Ph.D., neuropsychologist at the Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment Clinic (CÉTSA) at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre.

o Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

o Time: 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Free online conference | Zoom

o Conference in French (translated subtitles available)

o Target audience: professionals working with visual impairments (including deafblindness) and autism spectrum disorders (pediatric rehabilitation)

o Register:

https://santemonteregie.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_op7bR25LSPG3ar5r_sJufA

INLB conference website: https://extranet.inlb.qc.ca/recherche-et-innovation/conference-midi/

Contact: amelie.desnoyers.inlb@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

 

INLB Research Department Newsletter

Check out Nouvelles-Vision, the monthly newsletter from the Research and Innovation Department at the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille! It features articles, events, and new publications in the field of visual impairment and dual sensory impairment. Happy reading!

Subscribe to the newsletter! https://extranet.inlb.qc.ca/recherche-et-innovation/infolettre-nouvelles-vision/

 

New article to discover:

“Social determinants of health and dual sensory loss in older adults: A scoping review”  https://cdpsurdicecite.org/document/social-determinants-of-health-and-dual-sensory-loss-in-older-adults-a-scoping-review-2/

This scoping review offers timely and actionable insights into how social determinants of health (SDH) affect older adults with dual sensory loss (DSL). The findings are relevant for:

Policy Makers in informing inclusive health and social policies that address disparities in access, inclusion, and care for older adults with DSL.
Healthcare Providers in enhancing service delivery through a better understanding of intersectional barriers faced by this population.

Researchers in identifying gaps in the literature—such as limited data on race, Indigenous status, and LMIC contexts—and guiding future studies.

Advocacy Groups in supporting campaigns for equity, accessibility, and representation of older adults with sensory disabilities.

By mapping current evidence and highlighting systemic gaps, this review contributes to advancing health equity and inclusive aging strategies globally.

 

DeafBlind Ontario Services (DBOS)

The organization offers interesting online events. These events are open to everyone, but there is a fee to participate.

Here you will find links to upcoming events:

 

 

 

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