Accessibility of Airport Terminals

Vancouver International Airport

Contact Information

Postal Address: PO Box 23750 APO, Richmond, British Columbia, V7B 1Y7
Street Address: 3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, British Columbia, V7B 1Y7
Telephone (General Inquiries): (604) 207-7077
TTY: (604) 207-7070
Email: information@yvr.ca
Website: www.yvr.ca

Arrival And Check-In

• Airline check-in and service counters have a volume controlled amplified handset system to assist people hearing an agent in a noisy environment. Counters are also specially designed with writing surfaces and toe clearances for persons using wheelchairs.
• Designated short-term parking spaces (45 minutes) for people with disabilities displaying valid SPARC permits are located on each level of the Terminal Buildings adjacent to the main doors to allow for easier check-in and baggage pick-up for people with mobility impairments.
• Designated parking spaces for people with disabilities displaying valid SPARC permits are also located on every level of the indoor parking close to the connecting path to each terminal as well as in the over height parking lot located adjacent to the Parkade.
• A lift equipped shuttle bus services the long-term and economy parking lot, which is located further away from the Terminal Building.

Personal Assistance

• Vancouver International Airport has 250 Green Coat volunteers, who are identified by green coats or green vests, and are available to assist with wayfinding direction.

TTY Phones

• Vancouver International Airport has a dedicated TTY telephone number and equipment available for incoming TTY calls to airport operations.
• There are 23 public telephones equipped with TTY devices located throughout the terminals in both stand-up and seated configurations.
• Directional signage using the international symbols indicates the presence of TTY equipped phones.

Wayfinding For People With Visual Impairments

• The Terminal Buildings are equipped with elevator signage as well as with Braille and/or tactile lettering on service rooms such as washrooms and holding rooms.
• Elevators are equipped with audible and bilingual synthesized voice "floor callers", not just tones.
• Tactile maps of the Terminal Buildings are available at Customer Service Counters in the International and Domestic terminal or through local organizations.
• High contrast floor markings are visible to assist users navigate through key areas.
• Distinct and consistent floor treatments assist travellers identify their location within the Terminal Buildings, e.g. carpet indicates gates, tile or terrazzo signifies exits, while other surfaces imply retail area.
• Low mounted flight information displays are located throughout the terminals.

Wayfinding For People Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing

• Visual fire alarms (strobes) have been installed in the public areas and washroom facilities.
• The Terminal Buildings are equipped with "visual pagers" which are dedicated video monitors that will carry written messages to notify people of important information and audible pages.
• The Terminal Buildings are also equipped with a video override system that, in the event of an emergency, can display a bold type message to all entertainment television/video screens and visual paging monitors, indicating the type of emergency and a course of action to be carried out by the public. The message can be delivered in both audio and video modes in several languages.
• Each pay telephone in the terminal provides adjustable volume control and has a flux coil to assist hearing aid users.
• A low volume, public address system utilizing speakers is placed approximately 6 meters apart throughout the Terminal Buildings. This reduces the noise pollution and encourages hearing aid use.

Washrooms

• All common washrooms are equipped with doorless entryways and screen walls.
• Wheelchair accessible single occupant/unisex washrooms are adjacent to every public washroom cluster.
• Faucets and paper towel dispensers in the terminals are equipped with hands free equipment and water fountains are wheelchair accessible.
• At least one urinal in each washroom has a lowered rim and is equipped with vertical grab bars.
• All wheelchair accessible toilet stalls are equipped with an emergency call button.

Food And Beverage Outlets

• Minimum aisle widths allow wheelchair users to turn around in food and beverage outlets.
• Cash/service counters are at one common height to accommodate wheelchair users and allow for a universal approach to providing customer service to travellers.
• Bars in lounges and VIP areas have lowered sections for wheelchair users or people unable to use high stools.

Accessible Local Transportation Serving the Airport

Name of Service Provider: Over 400 licensed taxis
Description of Service: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pre-bookings of 4-door sedans, mini-vans or wheelchair accessible taxis are not required; simply inform one of the commissionaires stationed at the taxi queue area on the curb and roadway.

Other Accessibility Features

• All public areas of the Terminal Buildings are wheelchair accessible.
• The Terminal Buildings are equipped with low resistance door closers and levered door handles, with lowered fire alarm call buttons, and with closed captioned monitors and entertainment TVs.
• Exterior pedestrian pathways are designed for older adults and people with mobility impairments.
• Special consideration exists in most of the elevators such as front and rear doors which allow flow through instead of having to turn around to exit, improved handrail design, side wall mounted operating panels, and accessible emergency communications.
• The use of carpet in the terminal has been minimized to reduce resistance for wheelchairs.
• Airport seating provides arm and back rests with appropriate kick space underneath. Space has been provided for wheelchair users to stop in these rest areas.
• The Terminal Buildings are equipped with low mounted courtesy phones connected directly to the Operations Desk where staff can identify the users’ location by the phone unit and therefore give users detailed directions or send a green coat volunteer to assist if required.