BC Ferries disability service scores 7 out of 10 points

Lots of Islands on this sail through the Gulf of Georgia

Maybe I am the wrong person to write this critique: after 20 years and a couple of hundred ferry rides I still get a thrill at the prospect of heading out on an ocean voyage. While others stampede their way to the cafeteria for a greasy, lukewarm "sunshine breakfast", I grab a coffee at one of the coffee bars and scout the best places to grab some shots with my camera. During my trips, some to Victoria or Nanaimo, others to Bowen Island or the Sunshine Coast, I have been entertained by eagles, whales, porpoises, seals and sea lions. The ferry system is extensive, and I have not yet had the opportunity to travel all routes and ports.  For full details on fares, schedules and routes go to  www.bcferries.com. My travel review does not cover the Northern Routes, the Inside or Discovery Coast passages or  Haida Gwaii. Also I cannot yet write of the southern and northern gulf island routes. The former is on my bucket list and the latter is on this summer's to do list for at least one gulf island. A full account to follow.

A fog bank lifts and turns into a pink sky on the horizon

Mount Baker looks as if it sits in the Pacific instead of the mainland in Washington State

A curious seal investigates the ship in Nanaimo's Departure Bay

Here are a few tips. All the ferry terminals are accessible. But the ease with which you board a vessel depends very much on the vessel and the route. The largest class vessels are state of the art and very accommodating. The elevators are large and have audio voice finding as well as braille and other way finding features. Automatic doors and way finding features can be found throughout the larger class ships such as The Spirit of Vancouver Island. The washrooms are fantastic with automatic doors and and locking system, grab bars, lift seats, etc.  The food service is cafeteria style and it is not easy to find help. They run  a tight ship with the crew and there is not a lot in the way of purser service. In fact there is no specifically designated on-board person responsible for disability services. A click on Passenger Services on the website is also lacking information on disability services. BC Ferries offers a pass allowing for free attendant travel, as well as a discount for larger vehicles needed to accommodate a wheelchair. Guide dogs are allowed on passenger decks. For more information phone 1-877-388-4440 .

Sunset on deck 5

Backing out of the dock

Arriving at Horseshoe Bay

As a walk on passenger on a smaller vessel, I sometimes find myself  entering and exiting in my wheelchair in front of several revving trucks and buses. Making my way on to the ferry I am challenged by cramped elevators, heavy doors, and many other obstacles throughout the voyage. If you require a lot of accommodation to manage your independence, I suggest using the Vessel Tracker feature on the ferry corporation's web site. Look for the larger ferries: the S class is the best. You can also book a state room on The Queen of Nanaimo for privacy but the room offers no accessibility features and costs extra to book.

Frankly if the thrill of the trip is taken out of the scoring, it only rates a 6 out of 10, but what BC Ferries lacks in accessibility, mother nature makes up for in beautiful splendor.

False Creek transportation truly innovative

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of an amazing trip. About how I got my wheelchair aboard this tiny ship. (Sung to the tune of the Gilligan's Island theme song)

Not all ferries or docks on this waterway are accessible. Look for the cyqua bus.

The accessible boat docks use a series of moving parts to maintain an even grade during low and high tides

False Creek was an industrial waterfront until it was converted into the sight of Expo 86. Now it's home to several parks, restaurants, yacht clubs, community centres, the former Olympic Village, and Granville Island. You can access the north and south banks of the water via the seawall. Really this creek is more of a Pacific Ocean inlet than a creek, and as such tides are a big part of the ecoculture. The water is cleaner now with the elimination of industry, and wildlife is returning. Eagles and harbour seals are a common sight. Last year the creek was home to a gray whale for a few days. False Creek starts at the Burrard Street Bridge and goes as far east as Main Street ending at Science World.

Accessible dock at David Lam Park

The accessible  docks are padded with slip-free no-barrier padding

The older docks like the one at Science World can be very steep during low tides

A fun way to get around is by Aquabus. This ferry company operates a fleet of wheelchair, stroller, and bicycle accessible boats. The City of Vancouver has installed two state of the art accessible boat docks at David Lam Park and Granville Island. There is also a wheelchair lift at the Yaletown dock; however, salt water and electronics don't mix well so this lift is often out of order. Spy Glass is the only completely inaccessible dock. And the other docks at Stamps Landing, Hornby Street and Science World are old style docks and the incline depends on the tide . To get schedules, fares and more information go to ww.theaquabus.com. Try and plan your trip during high tide because low tide makes access to the old docks very steep. Tide schedules are listed daily in both The Vancouver Sun and The Province newspapers.

Gone fishing

AcessEco BC is taking a little break and we will be back in June.  

A streetcar named desire

Stella! Frank! Tom ! Jane! Anybody! This is a call to arms. If you have read the posting "Not wanted on the voyage", then you are familiar with the fact that the Vancouver Trolley Company, by not utilizing their wheelchair lifts, is in violation of  the BC Human Rights Code. To learn more about BC Human Rights including how to receive help filing a complaint go to the BC Human Rights Coalition website at http://www.bchrcoalition.org/  Under our law there is a duty to accommodate a person's disability so long as it does not cause undue hardship to the one doing the accommodating .Not Wanted on the Voyage clearly shows that the Trolley Company's definition of |undue hardship| is the time it takes to load and secure a wheelchair or scooter. They also said some other clang about being ticketed by city hall for stopping too long during the loading of wheelchairs. I am investigating this but I doubt it's true. 

The process of filing a complaint is pretty straight forward and I am all ready to apply for a hearing. You have 6 months to file a complaint after an incident unless you can demonstrate good cause for delaying. My incident happened the week of April 12. That gives me until October 12, 2011 to file. It makes no sense to delay; however, I am leaving it up to you.

To tell you the truth I took the touristy trolley trip when I could walk, and although I didn`t buy the t-shirt I have done that. So if you want me or People with Disabilities in general on the trolley I will fight for it. In turn I need to see 500 likes posted on my facebook page by the October deadline. So read it, like it and pass it on. "This may be the last time I don't know" (old gospel protest song)

Vancouver's Fraserview Park mighty beautiful

There is plenty of evidence of logging along the river bank

Picnic tables are perfect chair height and you can get under them at either end

The "mighty" Fraser River is BC's longest river and Fraserview Park is nestled near the end of its 1375 km length just before the river flows into the Pacific Ocean. This 10 hectare park is a great spot to watch boats fish for salmon or sturgeon off the docks, and it's also great for bird watching and picnic-ing. It's one of the few remaining parks in Vancouver where you can use a charcoal barbeque. The barbeques are free but you must bring your own charcoal. The nearby pavilion has adjacent accessible washrooms. You don't need to book but priority is given to permit holders. To get a permit and to view booking policy go to http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/index.htm. The official address of the park is 8705 Angus Drive but I access it at the foot of Kent Street which is also the best place to park. If you are coming by public transit use Translink's trip planner www.translink.ca . Your trip plan to the park will eventually connect you to the #100 travelling east or west along South East Marine Drive. The bus stops at South East Marine Drive and Jellicoe Street South and and South East Marine Drive and Kent Street have curb cuts, but the lights at the crossings are not audible. Remember, the park is on a river bank so you will encounter steep slopes entering and exiting the park. There are also rail tracks running across the park entrance, but wheelchair ramps at Jellicoe Street South and Kent Street make the tracks easy to traverse for chairs, walkers. and strollers. Inside the park the trails are hard and flat.

The river is affected by the tides and the mix of fresh and salt water creates a unique ecology

The river currents are too strong for swimming

There are many places to sit and enjoy the view

The area and the park are undergoing an overhaul which I hope will include the replacement of the non-accessible children's play areas with barrier free accessible ones and better access to the tennis courts.  All in all, it's a great place to go.

The pieces are in place for a fantastic summer so check it out, mate

This accessible golf cart can be rented at McCleery Golf Course

You can get use of this beach chair to access the ocean at English Bay

Everybody loves to get out and enjoy the summer and AccessEco BC wants to help you plan this fantastic time of year. You can enjoy sailing the high seas or try swimming in the lower mainland's many pools, lakes and, of course, the Pacific Ocean. If sailing or swimming doesn't float your boat, you can enjoy fishing or hiking. If it's golf that drives you there is plenty to do that will fit all abilities and budgets.

To learn more about accessible swimming, hiking and golf follow the link http://vancouver.ca/parks/.

The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities has published it's spring 2011 edition of Transition magazine, which will soon be up on the BCCPD's web site.  To see or subscribe to this informative magazine check out their website at www.bccpd.bc.ca.  Entitled "Taking A Break" the magazine is chock full of ideas and information about how to get out and enjoy this fantastic province. It includes a piece on the love of photography by yours truly.

If you want to put a shiver in your timbers you can try sailing at Jericho Beach. To learn more follow the link www.disabledsailingbc.org.

Yesterday it was announced that parking in BC provincial parks is now free.  There are reduced fees for PWDs to camp, fish and enter our parks. For details go to www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/.

Get out and enjoy. If on your travels you happen by Everett Crowley Park (see post "Paradise Recycled") take a minute to send good thoughts to the hundreds of volunteers who made the Earth Day celebrations so fun and productive.  500 trees were planted.