Features & Services


The University of British Columbia is committed to providing an inclusive and accommodating experience for delegates with disabilities and accessibility needs. Below, you will find information for accessibility options in our conference hotel, at the Vancouver International Airport, public transportation, and accessible dining:

 

There are several accessibility options at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, including accessible areas with accessible routes from public entrances, accessible hotel features, and guest room accessibility. For delegates who need accessibility options in their rooms, the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre has two rooms with wheel-in showers and ten other accessible rooms with grab bars, lowered amenities, and wider doorways.

Accessible Areas with Accessible Routes from Public Entrance
  • Business Centre
  • Fitness Centre
  • Meeting spaces and ballrooms
  • Pool with steps and railings (no ramp or lift)
  • Pool pathway
  • Public entrance alternative
  • Registration Desk pathway
  • Registration Desk
  • Restaurant(s)/lounge(s)

Accessible Hotel Features
  • Accessible self-parking
  • Self-parking facility, van-accessible spaces
  • Self-parking, accessible spaces
  • Service animals are welcome
  • Valet parking for vehicles outfitted for drivers in wheelchairs
  • Elevators

Guest Room Accessibility
  • Accessible guest rooms with 32" wide doorways
  • Accessible route from public entrance to accessible guest rooms
  • Bathroom grab bars
  • Bathtub grab bars
  • Bathtub seat
  • Doors with lever handles
  • No transfer showers available
  • Roll-in shower
  • Shower wand, adjustable
  • TV with close-captioning
  • Toilet seat at wheelchair height
  • Vanities, accessible
  • Viewports, lowered

For more information about the physical features of the Sheraton Wall Centre's rooms, common areas, or special services relating to a specific disability, please call +1 604-331-1000.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of the world's most accessible airports, and works to ensure all passengers with disabilities have a positive experience travelling to Vancouver.

  • Outside the terminals, ramps and special curbside parking can be found at both the Arrivals and Departures areas. There are relief areas for anyone travelling with assistance animals and are available at the Arrivals level outside the International Terminal and the U.S. Departures area.
  • The airport also includes:
    • Fully-accessible restrooms
    • Phone booths
    • TTY phones
    • Plain language signage
    • Low-mounted flight information monitors
    • Visual paging monitors
    • Public address systems
    • Check-in counters adapted for wheelchairs and those with impaired hearing
    • Airport gates equipped with dedicated wheelchair lifts for loading into the aircraft
    • Lounge and restaurant seating with both arms and no arms
    • Textured flooring to guide visually impaired travellers

YVR provides an accessible travel planning resource on their website including an accessibility brochure. For travellers with disabilities, it is recommended that they state their particular needs when booking, and at the ticket counter. YVR Airport Customer Care personnel can be contacted at +1 604-207-7077.

Vancouver's transit system is fully accessible to people with different types of mobility, allowing everyone to travel by bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express. Translink includes vehicles with low floors with ramps, high floors with lifts, and Skytrain stations with elevators.

Skytrain
The SkyTrain's Canada Line connects YVR to Richmond and downtown Vancouver. Canada Line is fully accessibly through the elevators from both the Arrivals and Departures level.

Buses
Every bus is accessible and can carry two wheelchairs or mobility aids. There are bus stops that are not accessible, so you may use the Trip Planner tool on Translink's website or call Customer Information at +1 604-953-3333 to find the nearest accessible bus stop.

Taxi
There are wheelchair-accessible taxis and vans that are available from the vehicles that service YVR. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available at taxi stands located on Level 2 of the Domestic and International Arrivals Area at YVR. Reservations are not required, and assistance is available from curbside staff.

Car Rentals
Airport rental companies provide accessible vehicles, although they require a minimum of 48 hours advance booking. Avis and Hertz offer car rental services.

Vancouver provides an array of dining experiences for everyone: family-friendly cafes and amazing restaurants are available around our conference hotel. Below is a selection of accessible dining and cafe options to cover your needs:

Black + Blue
Glowbal Group's most expansive restaurant is only an 8-minute stroll away from our conference hotel, and includes Vancouver's largest rooftop dining area and lounge. Guests can enjoy steak with a unique style. The height of the tables close to the bar area makes them accessible to anyone using a wheelchair or a scooter. 

Cactus Club
Cactus Club cafes offer a casual dining atmosphere, if you're looking for a quick bite to eat, or a night out with friends. The closest Cactus Club, at Burrard Street, is a 10-minute stroll from the conference hotel. All Cactus Club locations are wheelchair accessible, with Coal Harbour and English Bay being the most popular locations with visitors because of the waterfront views. Both locations offer wheelchair accessible dining rooms and patio seating, and washrooms are located on the lower floor accessible by elevator.

Café Medina
A 10-minute stroll away, start your day at Café Medina, which serves brunch dishes every day. The restaurant is accessible, even the bar, with a wheelchair-friendly private bathroom.

Di Beppe
Di Beppe is a 10-minute drive away from the conference hotel, and is an exquisite place in Gastown for pizza and pasta lovers. The restaurant is accessible from one level with a flat entrance, if coming from the street. The restaurant and café can accommodate wheelchair users at at the appropriate height, along with an accessible washroom.

Visit Vancouver Tourism to learn more about accessibility in Vancouver including accessible transportation, accessible dining, outdoor adventures, and different resources for travellers who are needing accommodation.