For people with disabilities and their families, money is often stretched. Listed are a number of organizations who offer discounts for people with disabilities or the people who assist them.
BC Ferries Disability Card
50% off passenger fare is offered to people with permanent disabilities and one attendant when presenting a CNIB card or BC Ferries Accessible Fare Identification (AFI) card. Fare discount applies to passenger rate, not vehicles.
Apply for an AFI card on the BC Ferries website. Proof of disability is required via documentation of Person with Disabilities designation or Canada Pension Plan Disability, or certification from a physician or nurse practitioner.
BC Bus Pass Program
Adults in BC receiving disability assistance can request a bus pass that can be used throughout the province in communities served by TransLink or BC Transit. It can be tapped like a regular Compass Card on TransLink vehicles or shown to BC Transit drivers to receive free transit.
HandyDART and Handy Card
TransLink offers the following services to people who have physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities and cannot use conventional public transit without assistance:
- HandyDART offers door-to-door, shared ride bus service at a flat fare. One attendant can travel for free.
- The Handy Card allows for concession fare on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express, and free travel for an accompanying attendant.
Apply on TransLink’s website. Verification by an approved authority is required.
Disability Travel Card
People with permanent disabilities of any type can apply for a Disability Travel Card. When purchasing a ticket with Via Rail or Coach Canada, one support person can accompany them at a reduced fare. The Disability Travel Card holder pays regular ticket price.
Apply on the Easter Seals website. Authorization from an accepted health care professional is required.
The Access 2 Card
The Access 2 Card is a program run through Easter Seals Canada which provides a disabled person’s support person with free or discounted admission at participating venues across Canada. Cards valid for 3 years or 5 years are available, and can be renewed after that point.
Some of the many participating venues include the Vancouver Aquarium, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver; Butchart Gardens and National Geographic IMAX Theatre in Victoria; and hundreds of movie theatres across the country. Find participating venues here.
Apply here. Authorization from an accepted health care professional is required.
Application Process
- Complete the application form for either 3 or 5 years.
- Proof of a permanent disability can be authorized by one of a number of heath care professionals, such as a physician, registered social worker, service provider executive director, or behaviour analyst
- Administration Fee Payment of $20 for 3 years or $30 for 5 years can be submitted through online payment or cheque or money order. A self addressed stamped envelope should be enclosed for those paid for via cheque.
- Allow four to six weeks for delivery
- Renewal or replacement cards can be done through their website.
BC Parks Social Services Camping Fee Exemption
BC Parks exempts people with disabilities who are receiving financial assistance from base camping fees at frontcountry campgrounds. No registration is required, but the exemption must be claimed prior to paying the camping fee by presenting documentation.
The camping parties of people receiving assistance through one of the following programs may qualify:
- Indigenous Services Canada Disability Income Assistance
- BC Ministry of Children and Family Development At Home Program
- BC Ministry of Social Development disability benefits
Children
- The child must be registered with the At Home Program through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
- A Letter of Eligibility can be obtained through a MCFD social worker.
- Upon arrival, the letter and a piece of ID for both the child and parent or legal guardian is required.
18 and over
- For those receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR), either a confirmation of assistance or release of personal information form must be obtained through MSDPR.
- For Indigenous people living on-reserve and receiving PWD Disability Income Assistance through Indigenous Services Canada, a release of personal information form must be obtained through the Band Social Development Worker.
- When arriving at the campground the original approved form and a piece of photo ID is required.
BC Fishing Licence
This program offers an annual Non-Tidal Angling Licence for lakes, streams and rivers to a severely and permanent disabled person over 16 at a reduced cost of $1.14.
Learn more and apply here. Documentation that the individual is receiving disability benefits or certification from a practicing registered BC physician or nurse is required.
Leisure Access Programs and Leisure Assistant Passes
Many cities and districts across BC offer Leisure Access Programs for low-income residents and residents with disabilities which provide free or reduced rates for various leisure activities in the city.
Leisure Assistant Passes offer free or reduced rates for support people accompanying people with disabilities.
City of Vancouver Leisure Access Program
The City of Vancouver’s LAP is available to residents of Vancouver qualifying for the Disability Tax Credit and families receiving the Child Disability Benefit.
Apply here. Proof of Income Statement or Canada Child Benefit is required as documentation.
City of Victoria Leisure Assistant Pass
The City of Victoria and its regional partners across Vancouver Island provide reduced or free admission at participating venues for the assistants of people with disabilities of all ages.
Apply here. Documentation of disability or certification from a health care professional is required.
Check the website of your own city or district for similar programs.