Playland/PNE Experience Survey
Equal Access Collective is focusing on making
PNE/Playland accessible and inclusive. Playland and the PNE are beloved and iconic tourist destinations in the City of Vancouver cherished by countless visitors each year. To ensure that this vibrant theme park continues to thrive and attract a diverse audience, it is essential that it remains accessible to everyone.
Playland Experience Survey: Equal Access Collective has created a survey to collect data that will reflect user experience and showcase the necessity for accessibility in Playland and the PNE.
Please submit your response and share with your network!
https://equalaccesscollective.weebly.com/
EAC identified numerous barriers to accessibility that underscore the need for an inclusive experience and the obligation to accessibility that is vital for the park’s ongoing success.
Playland and PNE Accessibility Webpage

Parking
Accessible parking spaces are very limited and are not conveniently located near the park entrance.

Entrance Fee
Full price admission is charged to persons with disabilities (PWDs) despite rides and attractions being inaccessible. The “Access 2 Program” offers a 2-for-1 discount, but this information is not prominently displayed, and the program is only available through Guest Services or phone.

Accessible Washroom Facilities
There is only one accessible restroom at Playland, located near Scoops Ice Cream, which is not easily found.

Accessible Rides and Attractions
There are no wheelchair-accessible rides or attractions, and no rides accommodate safe transfer from a wheelchair.

Boarding Rides
PWDs must independently seek assistance for boarding rides, and many rides are not accessible.

Shows and Concerts
Accessible seating in the Pacific Coliseum is limited and located far from the stage. PNE concerts and shows (e.g. Flying Fools High Dive Show) lack designated accessible viewing areas.

Lineups for Rides and Attractions
Long lineups can be problematic for individuals with disabilities who may have difficulty standing or waiting for extended periods or managing heat.

Food Booths
Inconsistent counter heights at food booths create accessibility challenges, with some counters too high for safe use.

Staff
Staff are not fully knowledgeable about accessible accommodations and services.
Accessible BC Act Standards - Public Engagement
The Province in collaboration with the Provincial Accessibility Committee is inviting British Columbians to share their thoughts and experiences on how government can best address barriers that restrict people with disabilities from equally participating in the workforce and accessing services in community.
The public engagement on the draft accessibility standards is open from May 31 until July 31. The public and organizations can share their input/feedback on the draft standards in a variety of ways, including an online questionnaire. The questionnaire can be found here: https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/555886?lang=en.
To learn more about the engagement and ways to participate, please visit the accessibility Standards webpage at: Home – Accessible BC Act Standards (gov.bc.ca).
Press Release: 2024/25 Accessibility Projects Grants Application Process Opens in August
-For Immediate Release-
Vancouver, BC – May 29, 2024
As part of this year’s AccessAbility Week, taking place May 26th to June 1st, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has announced that the funding for the Accessibility Projects Grants has been renewed by the Province.
The Accessibility Projects Grants were first launched in 2018 to commemorate BC’s first AccessAbility Week, and since that time, over 80 projects have been funded throughout British Columbia. Each year, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has provided $450,000 to DABC to distribute as community grants to improve and promote accessibility and inclusion in the province.
“To be an accessible and inclusive province, we must integrate accessibility into all aspects of our lives,” said Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility. “As we celebrate AccessAbility Week, I am especially grateful for our work with trusted partners like Disability Alliance BC to remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.”
Organizations may apply for up to $40,000 for year-long community engagement projects that will support lasting change for the more than 900,000 people (24.7% of population over age 15)[1] in BC living with disability. Projects will focus on one of the following objectives:
- Accessible employment;
- Accessible emergency planning and response;
- Accessible arts, culture and tourism;
- Accessible sports and recreation;
- Accessible education and learning;
- Accessible community participation.
“We’re really excited that the grants have been funded again”, said Danielle Gauld, Coordinator of the grants. “We’ve seen them support a wide range of powerful projects around the province that have had deep impacts on the lives of people with disabilities, and we are so glad this will continue into the future. We can’t wait to see who applies this year!”
Applications will open on Friday August 2nd and close on Friday September 13th, 2024 at 12pm Pacific Time. Granting decisions are made by a Committee of representatives from DABC and other disability and community organizations from around BC. Successful applicants will receive funding in December, and implement their accessibility project in 2025.
To apply:
- Projects must be focused on community engagement rather than large capital costs such as accessibility improvements to buildings.
- Eligible organizations must be not-for-profit organizations with a volunteer Board chosen by its membership, based in BC or with a base of operations in and sufficient capacity to deliver services in BC. They must operate primarily for community benefit and have services open to the public rather than restricted to their membership.
- If an organization has received a grant in the past, they can reapply 5 years after their application was submitted (for example, if an organization applied in 2018 for a grant and did their project in 2019, they can reapply in 2023 to do a project in 2024).
To learn more about the grants and organizations that have received funding in the past, please visit: Accessibility Projects Grants | DABC (disabilityalliancebc.org).
Media Contacts:
Helaine Boyd
Executive Director
helaine@dabc.ca
Download a copy of the press release here: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/APG-Press-Release-May-29th-2024-FINAL.pdf
[1]https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310037401&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.13