Join us for an exciting day of connection and friendly competition at the 4th Annual New England Regional Cane Quest, an annual Braille Institute of America event, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025!

Cane Quest is a fun and challenging Orientation & Mobility contest designed for blind and visually impaired school-aged youth who use a white cane. Participants are grouped by skill level and navigate a series of mobility tasks using their white canes.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Time:

9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Explorers (Advanced O&M Skills)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Scouts (Basic O&M Skills)

Location: The Carroll Center for the Blind, 770 Centre Street Newton, MA 02458

Cost: Free

WHY ATTEND?

• Test skills: Students demonstrate their white cane navigation abilities in a fun, challenging, and supportive environment.
• Build meaningful connections: Kids meet peers who are also blind or visually impaired—while parents and siblings engage with others who share similar experiences.
• Win prizes: Participants earn points for proper travel techniques that they can trade in for cool rewards!
• See your child shine: Watch your child apply real-world Orientation & Mobility skills and understand O&M like never before.
• Participate in family activities: Parents and siblings will enjoy fun and educational activities at the Carroll Families stations.
• Make the most of a day off: What better way to spend a school holiday than surrounded by the Carroll Center community?

Guest Speaker

Mathieu Martinez is a Human Resources Coordinator at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), his vision loss was identified early in childhood. At age eight, Mathieu began orientation and mobility training, including the use of a white cane. Though he initially resisted the cane—attending training sessions reluctantly—his perspective began to shift during his college years. As he embraced the independence and opportunities of campus life, Mathieu recognized the importance of navigating the world safely and confidently. This realization led him back to using a white cane, not just as a tool, but as a gateway to autonomy.

Around the same time, Mathieu was inspired by his older brother—who also has LCA—and his guide dog. Watching their partnership unfold sparked a desire in Mathieu to experience that same blend of freedom and companionship. In late 2020, he began the application process with the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, and in early 2022, he was matched with his guide dog, Blue.

Now, after more than three years together, Mathieu and Blue have mastered the daily commute through Boston, traveled independently to events across multiple states, and are planning their first international journey together in early 2026. Their bond reflects not only a shared path, but a shared purpose: to explore the world with confidence, connection, and courage.

Interested in volunteering?

Sign up here or email cynthia.messeng​er@carroll.org to learn more!

Thank you to our sponsor!