Championing accessibility for all passengers
VIA Rail Canada is a company that’s truly making accessibility a top priority. Not only have they partnered with CNIB Connects to provide members with exclusive deals and discounts including five per cent off most fares, but they’re fully committed to setting the gold standard for accessible rail travel. And they’re well on their way to achieving that goal.
Pop over to the VIA Rail website and you’ll find they have an extensive accessibility section – complete with ASL videos – to assist passengers with disabilities in planning their trip and understanding the accessibility offerings on every leg of the journey.
For people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility challenges, most VIA Rail Canada stations feature ramps, most trains feature wheelchair lifts, and three out of five cars on their newest trains feature extra space for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility challenges. They also offer special assistance to passengers with mobility challenges throughout their journeys, from check-in to baggage transport all the way to the end of the trip. Check with a VIA agent to discuss accessible sleeper cabins for passengers taking long journeys.
Serving the sight loss community
For people with sight loss in particular, most VIA Rail Canada trains feature braille signage, braille and large-print menus, and braille safety information cards. They also offer guidance and assistance throughout the journey, and they welcome guide dogs and service animals of all kinds – even offering dog relief areas at many of their stations.
They’re also actively testing accessibility tools to help people with sight loss navigate their stations independently, like built-in GPS beacons and wearable sonar bracelets.
Importantly, VIA Rail Canada was also the first federal organization to submit their Multi-Year Accessibility Plan under the Accessible Canada Act to ensure a more accessible and inclusive experience for both employees and passengers. You can review their accessibility plan here. You can also find large-print and audio versions of the plan on the VIA Rail Canada website.
“VIA Rail teams have been working to improve accessibility for years ahead of this plan,” said Ben Marc Diendéré, VIA Rail Canada’s Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. “Whether it's the new fleet of trains that will deliver an unparalleled, barrier-free, and fully accessible travel experience, on-board announcements, or accessibility improvements to the Ottawa station, we have taken important actions already and will continue to ensure that we work to create an environment in which all people can travel autonomously and confidently.”