Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travelers with Disabilities
Canada is making progress when it comes to easing the everyday challenges facing
people with disabilities, especially the mobility impaired.
Many public buildings, including museums, tourist offices, train stations, shopping malls
and cinemas, have access ramps and/or lifts. Most public restrooms feature extra-wide
stalls equipped with hand rails. Many pedestrian crossings have sloping curbs.
Newer and recently remodeled hotels, especially chain hotels, have rooms with extra-
wide doors and spacious bathrooms.
Interpretive centers at national and provincial parks are usually accessible, and many
parks have trails that can be navigated in wheelchairs.
Car rental agencies offer hand-controlled vehicles and vans with wheelchair lifts at no
additional charge, but you must reserve them well in advance.
For accessible air, bus, rail and ferry transportation check
Access to Travel
(
www.accesstotravel.gc.ca
)
, the federal government's website. In general, most trans-
portation agencies can accommodate people with disabilities if you make your needs
known when booking.
Other organizations specializing in the needs of travelers with disabilities:
Access-Able Travel Source
(
www.access-able.com
) Lists accessible lodging, transport,
attractions and equipment rental by province.
Mobility International
(
www.miusa.org
) Advises travelers with disabilities on mobility is-
sues and runs an educational exchange program.
Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality
(
www.sath.org
) Travelers with disabilities
share tips and blogs.
Visas
Citizens of dozens of countries - including the USA, most Western European nations,
Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea - do not need visas to enter Canada for
stays of up to 180 days. US permanent residents are also exempt.
Citizenship & Immig-
ration Canada
(
www.cic.gc.ca
)
has the details.
Nationals of other countries - including China, India and South Africa - must apply to
the Canadian visa office in their home country for a temporary resident visa (TRV). A sep-
arate visa is required if you plan to study or work in Canada.
Single-entry TRVs ($75) are usually valid for a maximum stay of six months from the
date of your arrival in Canada. Multiple-entry TRVs ($150) allow you to enter Canada from
all other countries multiple times while the visa is valid (usually two or three years),
provided no single stay exceeds six months.
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