Summertime is here and you may be thinking about travel! If you live with a mobility device or require accessibility supports, many transit systems have facilities and services in place. Here are a few of them that are starting to become more common in Canada:
- accessible washrooms and assisted changing rooms (including showers and changing tables)
- counter hearing loops for people with hearing aids or Cochlear implants that cut out unwanted background noise
- in terminal shuttle service
- language lines for passengers with limited English, and those who are deaf or hard of hearing
- rest and relief areas for service animals
- sunflower program for people with invisible disabilities (lanyards that help identify wearers to airport staff)
- transportation accessibility services to and from the airport
- self service kiosks and ATMs with tactile keys and hearing devices
- autism resources
- guidelines on dimensions for your mobility devices (example from VIA rail https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/accessibility#services-on-board)
- automated doors
- visual fire alarms
To help you find out what is available at specific airports across Canada, here is a curated list of links to accessibility pages:
Airports
Toronto: https://www.torontopearson.com/en/accessibility
Vancouver: https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/navigate-yvr/accessibility-at-yvr
Montreal: https://yulsatisfaction.admtl.com/hc/en-ca/sections/360001510478-Travellers-with-disabilities
Calgary: https://www.yyc.com/navigatingyyc/accessibility.aspx
Halifax: https://halifaxstanfield.ca/travel-planning/accessibility/[SB2]
Rail
https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan/accessibility#overview
Keep in mind that many services need to be booked in advance or require registration, so start planning your trip as soon as possible.
Here are links to some of the apps now in more common:
Aira
A visual interpreting service that helps users navigate airports or other public spaces
BlindSquare
A self voicing GPS app that helps people with sight loss navigate
MagnusCards:
An app to help autistic and neurodiverse people navigate common airport processes
(download at Apple Store or Google Play)
Wheelmap:
Helps identify wheelchair accessible transportation, hotels, and tourists spots
Have suggestions for apps we should include here? Help us build a resource by sending us an email and letting us know about your favourites!