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.
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.
The National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) proudly announces a fully funded initiative to reduce poverty through early intervention and occupational rehabilitation. Funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, this program supports individuals who are injured or become ill outside of work, as well as their employers, aiding in the return-to-work process with Certified Disability Management Professionals (CDMPs).
Program Highlights:
Eligibility: Individuals off work due to injury/illness outside of work, and employers
needing accommodations. Please view eligibility section of website to learn more.
Supports Available: Access to physical and mental health treatment, case
management, workplace accommodations, and more.
Locations: Prince George, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Vancouver and surrounding area up
to 75km.
Last week, Disability Alliance BC shared on our social media platforms an engagement request from CBC Vancouver, for people with disabilities to talk about their experiences with dating. The post received strong feedback from our followers on Facebook, who rightly pointed out the unfairness of the PWD benefit spousal cap, and the fact that many disabled people are facing far more pressing issues than dating—issues like insufficient disability benefit rates/poverty and unaffordable/scarce housing—that often prevent people with disabilities from entering the dating world.
We are very appreciative of the strong engagement and opinions that people shared on the post. Everyone’s comments were heard. DABC sent a summary of this feedback to CBC, which led to CBC learning from this experience and making it the focus of their dating segment, which can be streamed here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-46-on-the-coast/clip/16082623-up-date-disabilities-dating.
DABC feels very strongly that the spousal cap is unjust. There are many negative impacts to restricting a person’s disability income because of a partner/spouse’s income:
Creates unequal power dynamic between partners.
In scenarios where a person on PWD is in a live-in relationship with a non-disabled person, it expects that the non-disabled partner is responsible for the disabled partner’s livelihood and well-being. This circles back to outdated, patriarchal laws of many decades prior.
Particularly for people who identify as women/femmes, this can create a level of dependence on the non-disabled partner that may lead to spousal abuse.
Creates a level of financial dependence on the disabled partner whereby they may feel they have no choice to end a relationship.
In the context of dating/seeking relationships, being on PWD prevents people from entering into relationships on an equal footing, or even deters prospective partners because of the expectation that they become financially responsible.
Due to the reasons above, the PWD system is actively encouraging and influencing people on PWD to remain single or otherwise make it very difficult to obtain and sustain a relationship. The spousal cap is in direct opposition with a person’s right to independence and equal opportunity, and therefore discriminates against people with disabilities.
DABC has advocated for an end to the spousal cap over the years. We’ve repeatedly brought the spousal cap up in conversations and committee meetings with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. DABC’s advocates, many of whom are people with disabilities themselves, feel very strongly about this issue. Most recently:
From the CBC radio interview, it is now clear that Minister Malcolmson knows very well the harms incurred by the spousal cap on PWD recipients. The BC government has often prided itself as a progressive province compared to the rest of Canada, but the fact remains that BC has the second highest poverty rate. People with disabilities in BC need a government that is bold, willing to challenge social norms and enact change.
The BC Government will be launching their new BC Poverty Reduction Strategy tomorrow; we hope that the strategy will include this and other recommendations for change that DABC has advocated on to reduce poverty in our province.
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.
Playland and PNE Accessibility Webpage
