You can call the Immigration and Refugee Board that is handling your appeal and talk to someone there. They are much easier to talk to than CIC, or the visa office (which is usually impossible). I went through the Vancouver office, and they would answer questions. You can ask for an ADR; you can also send in your evidence early. Asking for an ADR may not get you one, if they feel there are a lot of issues to be resolved, but asking won't hurt. It is not like pestering the visa office, which can delay things.