The AIM Lab exists as a hybridized entity with activities taking place both in person and online, often in simultaneity. As virtual spaces breathe life into important forms of accessibility – harbouring an accessible physical space and organizing base out of which to work has been a fundamental and foundational aspect of AIM’s development.  

The AIM Lab space is located within Concordia University’s Department of Communication Studies. This is department is situated in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood of Montreal at Concordia’s Loyola Campus. Both Loyola and the downtown campus (SGW) are located on unceded Indigenous territory. As part of our lab values of relationality and working with anti-colonial aims in our research and activities, we are developing collaborations with Concordia’s Indigenous Directions, and seek to form further relations with local Indigenous communities including the nation of Kahnawake, our closest neighbours across Kaniatarowanenneh (Kanien’kéha for the Saint-Laurent River).  

The AIM Lab’s address is CJ 1.415, 7141 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6. It is located on the first floor of the Communications and Journalism (CJ) building which can be accessed via a ramped entrance. The lab is equipped with automatic entry doors with a key card entry (restricted to active AIM members). Within the lab there are several work/activity areas including:  

• Two computer workstations equipped with Mac Studios; 
• Height-adjustable maker space table; 
• 3D-printing and vinyl-cutting room; 
• Conference room divided by motion-activated automatic sliding doors; 
• Reading lounge with various seating options; 
• Growing library of disability-studies and related texts;  
• Equipment storage for on-site and rental use;  
• Kitchenette; 
• Indoor garden.  

There are also media production kits available to rent to our members and affiliates. These include:

• MacBook Pros;
• iPad Pros;
• Mobile Phone Video Kit;
• Field Recorders;
• DSLR Camera Kits;
• Camcorder Kits;
• Microphone Kits and more.

Each element of AIM’s space design has been carefully considered with access in mind. For instance, various seating options are available for different body types. Most furniture are on wheels and can be easily moved for adapted configurations such as to prioritize easy wheelchair mobility. Meeting room glass partition includes remoted-controlled curtains for privacy for those communicating in sign language. For additional questions about the space and accessibility, renting equipment, etc., please read our Space and Equipment Use Protocol* (*currently in development) or get in touch by emailing info@accessinthemaking.ca.  

Coming soon.

Working to ground our values of Humility, Accountability, and Relationality, the AIM Lab periodically produces what we’re calling Anti-Colonial Reports. These “reports” are a collection of writings and media that aim to “report back” to the communities to whom we wish to be accountable – namely the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation on who’s unceded territory the AIM Lab and Concordia University occupy. As a consortium of scholars and artists with far-reaching ties, our gratitude for Land and Water stewardship extends to Indigenous communities local to the region(s) in which we are situated across Turtle Island [the continent] and globally. We offer this as a model for other institutions who claim and aim to engage in the work of de/anti-colonial research to use this as a method for evaluation, reflection, and goal alignment. We gladly invite any comments or feedback you may have on this process or any of our activities.  

Downloadable report for 2021-2022 is forthcoming.