Access Canada
Access Canada is a program designed to meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities using accommodation in BC. Participating establishments will display the Access Canada logo with their designated level. Go to Victoria Accommodations with access accommodating people with disabilities. Also check out these links:
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and
Access Victoria
Highlights of the four Access Levels are outlined below and address four disability groups:
Agility: People who have difficulty with moving, climbing stairs, dressing, fine motor coordination, etc.
Vision: This includes people with partial site and no sight.
Hearing: Those who have partial hearing or total hearing loss.
Mobility: Those who cannot walk unaided.
To facilitate the Access Canada program, the following is taken into consideration:
Training: Staff will be trained in customer service requirements, accommodation needs, information, equipment usage and safety.
Equipment: Availability of some major equipment may require 48 hours notice. Please inquire when you make a reservation at any Victoria accommodation.
Information: Participating properties will have specific information on services and facility features available on site for your use.
LEVEL 1
For active seniors and people with minor disabilities:
Features at level 1:
A Fact Sheet with Large Print, Feedback Card, Egress Plan
Physical Features: Good lighting, easy to open doors, even pathways and slip resistant flooring
Guest Rooms: Bedside Telephone, Bathtub with good access, slip resistant, grab bar for shower
Portable Equipment: Non-slip bath mat, clamp-on bar for tub, phone with large number pads, bath board
LEVEL 2
For seniors and people with moderate disabilities.
Features at level 2: All level 1 features, plus:
Central Reservation with Fact Sheet & Meeting Room Checklist Physical Features: Easy to open washroom door & lock, easy-to-operate lamp switch and visible environmental controls
Ensuite Bathroom with lever hardware and grab bar in tub/shower
Alternative Health Menu
Portable Equipment: Bath & tub seat, phone with amplification option, hand held shower, height/sensor light
LEVEL 3
For people with advanced agility, hearing, mobility and vision disabilities, independent wheelchair users
Features from Level 1 & 2, plus:
Accommodation/Room Orientation Available
Physical Access: paths of travel for wheelchair/ramps, easy to open accessible doorways, accessible phone, alternative registration area at wheelchair height, lowered elevator buttons/raised lettering symbols
Guest Rooms: lowered peephole, lit light switch/flashing fire alarm, lowered controls/wall plugs/shelves/safety hasp and safety hasp operative with closed fist
Ensuite Bathroom: Wheelchair maneuverability/accessories
Listening system in Meeting Areas
Portable Equipment: Bath transfer bench, walker with tray
LEVEL 4
For people with severe disabilities
Features include criteria from Level 1,2 & 3, plus:
Tape player/cassette or alternative; TDD/external service/amenities information
Physical Access: Inside/underground parking alternative; power door at main entry or alternative; public area washroom with raised door signage; floor level urinal; flashing visual alarms; sound/voice indicator inside elevator for public & accessible room floors.
Guest Rooms: phone jack/plug in within one meter for TDD; open bed frame with lockable wheels
Ensuite Washroom: phone or call bell to front desk; roll-in shower
Pool Entry Ramp or Lift Readily Available
Accessible Change Room/Overhead Lockers
Portable Equipment: Closed captioned TV decoder; wheelchair; phone TDD; overhead bed trapeze; floor to ceiling pole; visual emergency alarms; touch lamps; on/off indicators.
Level One:
Best Western Bayside Inn - Parksville
Chateau Victoria Hotel
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites
Level Two:
Accent Inn Victoria
Accent Inn Kamloops
Accent Inn Kelowna
Blue Horizon Hotel - Vancouver
Delta Ocean Pointe Resort
Hotel Grand Pacific
Victoria Regent Hotel
Level Three:
Coast Harbourside Hotel
Sooke Harbour House, Coastal Retreat - Sooke
Note: It is recommended that inidviduals contact the accommodations directly to discuss their needs and to ensure their needs can be met.
Links:
http://www.bcpara.org/default.aspx - BC Paraplegic Association
If you own accommodations in Victoria and they meet these standards, please advise this site by fax or E-mail. If you have an accommodation that accommodates wheelchair access, but do not have all of these features, we still would like to hear from you. When you write, please let us know what features you do have. If you would like to register your accommodation with ACCESS CANADA, contact the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, 1117 Wharf Street, Victoria , B.C. V8W 2Z2.