15 March 2026 - 11:00 am
Waterloo Brunch with Guest Speakers
Unheard Voices: Making Canada’s Petition Process Accessible to All
Join us in the JAZZ ROOM of the historic Huether Hotel for a tasty brunch and a presentation by Mark Weiler, Sharon Ward-Zeller, and Abduke Melka of the inter-abled team from the Waterloo Regional Chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), who will be sharing their concerns about accessibility disparities within Ontario’s petitioning process and their grassroots efforts in advocating for meaningful reform.
“Petitioning the government is a fundamental democratic right in Canada. It enables people to raise concerns and support grievances they want their governments to address. Yet for many people with disabilities, the current petitioning process remains difficult or impossible to access.”
The group’s efforts include organizing their own petition and bringing the issue directly to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. The petition is highlighted on MPP Catherine Fife’s website:
Please confirm your attendance by MARCH 14 to: Events@sofree.ca so we know how many people to expect and to be able to coordinate seating with venue staff.
Profiles of the Speakers
Mark Weiler is a web and user experience librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University. He holds certification in the JAWS screen reader and advocates for academic libraries to better engage with blind and visually impaired students, researchers, and faculty, while actively working to eliminate barriers.
Sharon Ward-Zeller is the Vice President of the Waterloo Chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) and past Community Representative with the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. Founded in 1944, the CCB is a national, membership-based charity that represents and supports Canadians who are blind, deaf-blind, or living with vision loss. The organization works to improve quality of life by promoting accessibility, advocacy, public awareness, and health initiatives related to eye care. Its programs include peer mentoring, recreational and educational activities, and technology training such as the “Get Together with Technology” program, where participants learn to use accessible devices and tools from others with lived experience. Through partnerships, outreach, and member-led initiatives, the organization also raises awareness about vision health, encourages inclusion, and advocates for improved services and opportunities for Canadians with vision loss
Abduke Melka is a past Board Director with the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region, a not-for-profit organization comprised of dedicated community members—with and without disabilities—who support and champion independent living for persons with disabilities through self-directed services and programs. He is also a member of the CCB.
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The Huether Hotel is at 59 King Street North, on the ground level of the Huether Hotel. Free parking options options
on Sundays: various street parking; the small parking lot behind the Huether Hotel; Waterloo Public Library lot: 35 Albert St. (just south of Princess St.).