On Friday, I checked out Banksy 360°, which is at the Aberdeen Pavillion, until October 7th, 2022. The immersive experience is fantastic. I highly recommend checking it out if you can.
If you’re a PWD, the event space is very wheelchair accessible. I had tons of space to roll around and take everything in. The setup is the same as the Van Gogh exhibit last year and the one currently taking place at the same location.
For more information (including accessibility) about Banksy 360°, go to https://banksy360.com/home/ottawa/
If you click “What is your Accessibility Policy?” you’ll see that it mentions the Access 2 Card. I can’t recall if I’ve talked about it before. If I did, it’s worth mentioning again.
The Access 2 Card program is a nationwide program that launched in 2004 with support from Cineplex Entertainment and several national disability organizations. The program is managed and administered by Easter Seals Canada.
The Access 2 Card program allows a PWD to bring one caregiver with them to venues and events participating in the program.
In Ottawa, the card is accepted at the following places:
While the program is excellent, several venues still don’t accept the card—for example, the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
I’ve missed several events at CTC due to needing to purchase a ticket for my caregiver. As a person on ODSP, buying one ticket is almost impossible, let alone two.
On the Access 2 website, they point out that it’s up to the event promoters on whether or not the Access 2 Card is accepted. I understand that promoters want money, but at the same time, PWD that require having a caregiver for medical reasons are being left out.
Surely, something can be worked out between the CTC and the various promoters, including the Ottawa Senators.
There is always hope.
For more information about the Access 2 Card program, go to https://access2card.ca/
