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Access 2 Entertainment Means Access to Well-being
It is widely recognized that recreation and leisure activities are an important component of good health and well-being, and going to movies is undoubtedly a favourite form of recreation for many Canadians. Today, movie theatres and other entertainment venues are more accessible than they were in the past, yet for many people with disabilities who require a support person, going on such an outing remains a rare treat, because the cost is doubled.
In the past, policies on admission fees have varied for support persons or attendants. Even in venues with a policy allowing for free or discounted admission for support persons, it has often been left to untrained employees to decide whether someone truly needs an attendant for daily activities, and is therefore eligible. In other venues, no such policy exists at all.
Easter Seals Canada began correcting this imbalance in December 2004 with the launch of Access 2 Entertainment, a national program for people with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person to accompany them to activities such as attending a movie, concert or sporting event.
Through the program, people with disabilities who require a support person carry a personal Access 2 Entertainment card with them. The card indicates to the ticket seller that the individual does indeed require the support of an attendant. At participating venues, the person with the disability pays the regular admission fee, but the support person receives free or discounted admission.
Diana Gandolfo is one of the 35,000 Access 2 Entertainment cardholders across Canada. Unable to recall all the movies she's seen in the five years since she received her card, Diana simply knows she has often benefited from the program.
“This card has allowed me to get out more and enjoy more activities such as a memorable trip to the Royal Ontario Museum,” said Diana. “I get excited to see new movies coming out and new attractions that have been added. We are on a tight budget and since I have to pay only my admission, this program helps a lot.”
After its initial success with the program, Easter Seals wanted to expand it, but needed funding to be able to do so. The Government of Canada, through the Social Development Partnership Program—Disability component (SDPP-D), was able to provide Easter Seals with the funds it needed in early 2009. The SDPP-D aims to to increase the effectiveness of the not-for-profit sector in meeting the social development needs and aspirations of people with disabilities. It does this by supporting innovative ways of removing barriers that impede access to programs and services.
As a result of the program’s expansion, the Access 2 Entertainment card is now accepted at over 95% of the movie theatres in Canada. The program also expanded beyond the silver screen to include venues and attractions such as museums, galleries and sporting events, ensuring that like Diana, people with disabilities from across Canada can have the same access as other Canadians to recreational and leisure activities outside their homes.
The Government of Canada provides $11 million per year in grants and contributions through the Disability component of the Social Development Partnership Program (SDPP-D) to help ensure that people with disabilities benefit from the same quality of life as all Canadians. The Program supports innovative solutions to remove barriers through improved access to programs and services, and encourages a wide range of community-based initiatives to address social issues and barriers faced by people with disabilities.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s mission is to build a stronger and more competitive Canada, to support Canadians in making choices that help them live productive and rewarding lives, and to improve Canadians’ quality of life.