Recreation & Travel

Halifax Stanfield has become the first facility in Nova Scotia to achieve the gold accessibility rating from the Rick Hansen Foundation. It is barrier-free, with wheelchair accessibility to all areas of the terminal building. They have created Autism Aviators, a program that eases the travel process for individuals on the autism spectrum. The program includes an annual mock travel day where individuals on the autism spectrum and their families get to experience airport processes. There are many accessible transportation options in and around the city of Halifax such as wheelchair accessible busses and taxis. Other features within the airport include accessible washrooms, telephones and pre arranged special needs assistance.

Halifax Stanfield has become the first facility in Nova Scotia to achieve the gold accessibility rating from the Rick Hansen Foundation. It is barrier-free, with wheelchair accessibility to all areas of the terminal building. They have created Autism Aviators, a program that eases the travel process for individuals on the autism spectrum. The program includes an annual mock travel day where individuals on the autism spectrum and their families get to experience airport processes. There are many accessible transportation options in and around the city of Halifax such as wheelchair accessible busses and taxis. Other features within the airport include accessible washrooms, telephones and pre arranged special needs assistance.

Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre has announced its certification as one of the first aquatics facilities in Canada to receive the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Gold. Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre has a wide range of accessibility features including ramped access to pools and hot tubs, a portable lift for the pool, adapted fitness equipment, universally accessible changing rooms, and so on.

The North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex focused on inclusivity and accessibility when it came to designing and building. There are 10 accessible change rooms with enclosed showers for womens and co-ed teams.Players benches are also removable for to add space for the para-hockey teams.

The Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has always prioritized accessibility for their passengers. They have worked to ensure that all features inside the airport can serve and support everyone that passes through without any difficulty. YVR has created features to support people with mobility and agility loss by including universal food and service counters, displays visible for everyone, accessible gates and many more physical features in their design of the terminals. For passengers with hearing loss, this airport has made adjustments such as incorporating speakers that result in clearer sounds, visual paging systems and check-in counters with amplified handsets. The Vancouver airport works to support those who are visually impaired. They have created electronic/larger print terminal maps, high contrast and braille signage, pet relief and have designed the flooring to incorporate a variety of textures to assist with wayfinding. The last group Vancouver International Airport has tailored their design to is passengers with developmental disabilities. Through using plain language, Customer Care staff and wayfinding support, YVR has worked to make the travel process for passengers with developmental disabilities as smooth as possible.

These are some examples of the tremendous effort from the designers of Vancouver International Airport to make this airport accessible according to the Rick Hansen Foundation. They have worked to serve as many people with disabilities and their families as possible and create a stress-free experience for all passengers that travel through Vancouver International Airport.

Universal food and service counters that welcome people using wheeled mobility devices. Restaurant and lounge seating that includes a mixture of chairs with and without arms. Low-mounted flight and gate information displays throughout the terminal. 15-minute curb-side parking for vehicles with a valid SPARC permit (or equivalent) for passenger/luggage drop-off (strictly enforced). Designated parking for people with disabilities in all parking lots with accessible shuttle bus service to long-term parking. Terminal flooring outfitted with low resistance carpeting for easier movement of wheeled mobility devices and greater stability for people using walking aids. Aircraft gates with dedicated wheelchair/equipment lifts to provide secure, direct loading of assistive devices into the aircraft. Adult dimension change tables throughout the terminals. Universally accessible washrooms and accessible toilets, equipped with an emergency call button. Pet relief areas for individuals travelling with assistance animals. Welcome messaging in sign language (ASL), featured on YVR monitors.