Accessible Vancouver

accessible Vancouver


Vancouver enjoys a reputation as being one of the most accessible cities in the world among travelers with special needs. Whether using wheelchairs, white canes, seeing eye dogs or hearing aids, Vancouver leads the way in making the area a more livable place for people with disabilities through its progressive transportation systems, innovative housing and recreational opportunities.

Select from one of the following to learn more about Vancouver options for special needs travelers:

Accessibility Rating

Businesses listed on this website that have been rated accessible for visitors with mobility, visual or hearing impairments will include icons displaying this information. Not all businesses have been rated at this time, but we are diligently working towards that goal.

Wheelchair accessibility - partially accessible Wheelchair accessibility - partially accessible
Business has no physical barriers limiting entry into the business; however, barriers are present in or around the business limiting access for people using wheelchairs.
Wheelchair accessibility - fully accessible Wheelchair accessibility - fully accessible
Business has no physical barriers into or around the building, or to key amenities and services, which would limit access for people using wheelchairs.
Visual accessibility Visual accessibility
Business has appropriate emergency alarms and plans, and offers communication material in alternate formats accessible for people with visual impairments.
Hearing accessibility Hearing accessibility
Business has appropriate emergency alarms and plans, and offers communication material in alternate formats accessible for people with hearing impairments.

Vancouver International Airport

As one of the most barrier-free airports in the world, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) exceeds the national and provincial Building Code standards for people with hearing, visual or mobility impairments. The airport's terminal features include:

  • ticket and service counters with amplified hand-sets
  • low-mounted flight information monitors designed for easier viewing with high-contrast typeface
  • visual paging monitors and public address systems displayed in written form
  • information kiosks equipped with closed-captioned decoders
  • tactile guidance maps of the terminal building
  • accessible public telephones and services for the deaf (contact the operations department at 604.207.7070)
  • accessible washrooms; facilities for service dogs are to be built in the near future
  • Airport Transportation

> See also BC Paraplegic Association's Online Resource Directory at www.bcpara.org.

City Transportation

In 1990, Vancouver became the first city in Canada to provide scheduled bus service to people with disabilities. 100% of all Lower Mainland buses are accessible. All rapid transit SkyTrain stations, except Granville Street, are also accessible.

Taxis
For accessible taxi services, call Vancouver Taxi at 604.255.5111 or 604.871.1111.

BC Ferries
For BC Ferries, wheelchair-users should request parking near the elevator at the time of ticket purchase. All washrooms and deck areas are accessible. The ferry route up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert also has accessible state rooms. For more information, please call 604.669.1211.

Coachlines
Greyhound Bus Lines has lift-equipped service from Vancouver to Kelowna, Calgary and Prince George, with stops in major centres along these routes. Book 24 hours in advance by calling 800.661.8747.

Pacific Coach Lines offers accessible service between Vancouver and Victoria. Please call 604.662.7575.

Rocky Mountain Railtours
Rocky Mountain Railtours offers a two-day trip from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff with an overnight stay in an accessible hotel in Kamloops. Please call 604.606.7245 for more information.

West Coast Sightseeing Ltd.
Since 2001 West Coast Sightseeing Ltd. Has been happy to offer a wheel chair accessibility for our daily scheduled tours. The bus features a hydraulic lift system enabling us to accommodate wheelchairs and motorized scooters. Our current bus seats 22 + 2 wheel chair passengers, and is available for our daily tours of Vancouver, Whistler, Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge and Victoria. As demand is high, please call 604 451- 1600 to book the wheel chair bus in advance. See our web page for all information: Westcoastsightseeing.ca

Recreation

Most attractions in Vancouver are accessible. Several recreation opportunities are outlined below.

Free wheelchair-accessible trolley ride around Stanley Park - 604.801.5515. The horse-drawn tours of Stanley Park are wheelchair accessible.

The Grouse Mountain Skyride offers accessibility on the gondola with 24-hours notice, ask for the sales department at 604.984.0661.

"The BC Sport and Fitness Council for the Disabled" offers competitive and recreational opportunities for disabled skiing, horseback riding, sailing, sledgehockey, ice picking and track & field. For more information, call 604.737.3039.

The Mobility Opportunities Society also offers disabled sailing and other recreational opportunities - 604.688.6464.

With the BC Parks Disabled Access Pass, people can camp free in provincial parks. Call 250.356.8794.

Accommodation

Under the recently implemented Access Canada program, hotels in British Columbia are graded with one of four rating levels that address the needs of people with minor to severe disabilities. Call ahead to ensure your requirements can be met.

> See our Accommodation section for details and contact information for Greater Vancouver hotels.

Associations & Institutes

Here are just a few of the local associations and institutes that are happy to provide additional information and support to Vancouver visitors with special needs.

BC Paraplegic Association
780 SW Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC
V6P 5Y7
Tel: 604.324.3611
Fax: 604.326.1229
Website: www.bcpara.org
Gov't sponsored Website: www.accesstotravel.gc.ca

Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2125 West 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6X 1X9
24-hour message relay centre, 800.855.0511.
TDD 604.736.2527 or 604.736.7391.

CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the blind)
604-431-2121
www.cnib.ca

Additional Resources

SPARC BC: provincial parking permits issued for the disabled. www.sparc.bc.ca/home/2

"We're Accessible Quarterly" newsletter for disabled and elderly travelers. For more information, contact 604.576.5075 or email kbartel@radiant.net.

Coalition of People with Disabilities: 604.875.0188 or fax 604.875.9227 or TDD 604.875.8835.

Office for Disability Issues: 250.387.3813 or fax 250.387.3114 or TDD 250.387.3555.

Whistler for the Disabled: Providing a Guide to Access in Whistler for people with Disabilities. Find everything you need right here tailored to your disability from Accommodation Listings, Travel Information, Medical Assistance and Mobility Equipment Rentals, a Restaurant and Night Life Guide, Adaptive Sports Programs, Year Round Tour Adventure & Recreation Options and programs that are accessible to the disabled. Whistler for the Disabled is 100 % focused on the needs of the disabled and nothing else. We hope to make your journey to Whistler a more enjoyable one with less frustrations along the way. We invite you to visit us at www.whistlerforthedisabled.com.

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