Disabled person feels deprived of accessible seating as venues including Rogers Arena fail to stop abuse

A Langley, B.C., man who often relies on a wheelchair says he is rarely able to attend hockey games or concerts at Rogers Arena because the seats are often taken by people who don’t need them.

After a car accident in 2006, Michael Coss suffered a severe brain injury and spent six months in a coma. DespiIf he has daily physical therapy, he has a higher risk of falling and uses a walker or wheelchair. He lives in a group home and says leisure activities are essential.

“It’s important for me to have a sense of normalcy,” Koss said. “Being able to enjoy the simple things. Life can’t just be about rehabilitation.”

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The accessible sections of Rogers Arena can be considered prime seating areas. They are designed for people to maneuver wheelchairs and other mobility devices, so there is ample room for legs, only one row of seating so no one is cramped to reach their seat, and chairs that can be pulled out for attendants or family and friends of those people Disability. There is often a ledge that provides a convenient location for food and drink.

Major venues across the country sell these designated accessible seats on an honor system – people simply have to tick a box that they need the seats, and no proof is required.

Cos says this has led to abuse by many people sitting in the section.

He said, “No wheelchair. No cane.” “That section should be for people with physical or cognitive disabilities.”

Advocates say Cos’s experience reflects a broader problem: People who abuse the system are leaving people who really need seats out of seats, and no one — including venues, ticket sellers or the government — is stepping up to solve the problem.

‘They were boasting’

Michael’s father Bob Coss acknowledges that some disabilities are invisible. But he says he was recently able to get tickets to a hockey game, where he overheard two people nearby bragging openly about how easy it was to sit in the accessible section.

“They were bragging about being able to buy these tickets, even though they didn’t have any disabilities,” Bob said. “This is not only disappointing, but completely unacceptable.”

To check who is sitting in seats clearly designated for people with disabilities, Go Public purchased ticketsis at Rogers Arena for A concert right behind an accessible section.

Of the thirty people sitting, only two were in wheelchairs. One man had crutches. Everyone else got in and out without any signs of mobility problems, although some may have invisible disabilities — Such as a physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not obvious but significantly affects a person’s daily life.

When Go Public contacted a woman leaving the section, she said that this section is for people with wheelchairs, but anyone can buy tickets online. Then he said that his leg was fractured.

Another man quietly said that he and his wife often buy tickets in that section because there is a lot of space and the views are great.

Rogers Arena cited ‘privacy’

Rogers Arena, Canucks Sports & Entertainment owners tell Go PublicUE uses an approach that preserves “the privacy and dignity of all fans” and because some disabilities may not be formally documented, they aim to be “respectful, fair and inclusive”.

The spokesperson also said the seating area is not restricted to guests who use wheelchairs, despite a sign outside the section that clearly states this area is for people requiring wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

“These locations support fans who are recovering from injuries, having difficulty climbing stairs, experiencing anxiety or mobility limitations, or living with a temporary or invisible disability,” the spokesperson wrote.

but a disabilityIT Rights Advocate and Retirement LawYou say Rogers Arena – and other venues – could do more to prevent abuse of the system.

“The claim that they can’t do anything and just have to sell tickets to anyone is self-serving nonsense,” said David Lepofsky, president of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance.

“All it has failed to do is fulfill its duty to make adjustments.”

Lepofsky said, legally, nothing prevents a venue from asking for proof of a disability or medical problem that requires accessibility to ensure the designated seating area is not misused, but the venue cannot ask for details.

“This needs to be limited as much as possible, and the information obtained should be treated as private,” he said.

ticketmaster test

Go Public tested online how accessible seating is sold at major venues across Canada using Ticketmaster – including Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Rogers Center in Toronto and Scotiabank Center in Halifax.

At each location, shoppers are asked to confirm that someone in their party needs accessible seating, but no proof is required.

A spokesperson for Ticketmaster said the company expressed disappointment at those abusing the system, but added that “the law does not allow us to require proof of disability to maintain fans’ privacy.”

“What kind of law?” Lepofsky asked. “It seems like the communications people are coming up with excuses.”

Later, Ticketmaster said it agreed that requesting documentation from a health professional is not illegal, but may “Raise concerns” about “dignity, autonomy, equal access and privacy”.

However, in the UK, Ticketmaster follows a system that requires proof of disability at thousands of locations And events. PSubmit Atron documents – medical letters or benefits records – to receive the Nimbus Disability Access Card, which provides a unique registration number for online shopping and photo ID to present at programs.

No such system exists in Canada.

A section of the ticketing giant’s website states that people who abuse the system may have their tickets cancelled. When Go Public asked Ticketmaster how many times the company has canceled orders over the past year, a spokesperson said it could not be tracked.

same as one accessible parking pass

Bob Koss says it is inexcusable for Canada not to have the same system as Britain, given that the status quo is not working.

that pA system similar to the current requirement to display a parking permit is being proposed if you want to park in an accessible space – where people would present a pass at the venue showing they need accessible seating.

Janelle Breeze Biagioni, executive director of the BC Brain Injury Association, says she supports the idea because it can be done quietly “behind the scenes.”

“This is not to target people to publicly shame them…this is to help them,” he said. “That’s what accessibility is all about.”

She explains that people entering accessible seating areas have already identified as having a disability.

A spokesperson for Rogers Arena did not specifically address the idea of ​​a pass, writing that the organization is “committed to exploring thoughtful solutions.”

Government does not regulate accessible seating arrangements

Since disability rights are overseen by provincial governments, Lepofsky said it is up to the BC government to ensure accessible seats are reserved for those who truly need them.

“Provincial rules should be made so that obligated organizations know what they have to do,” Lepofsky said. “So people with disabilities don’t have to litigate over these barriers one by one.”

Dana Lajeunesse, BC’s Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility said in one statement It is “disappointing” when accessible seating is not used as intended, and the government is “actively working” with the disability community to “strengthen clarity, training and accountability around accessible spaces”.

A spokesperson also said that the ministry “does not currently regulate accessible seating arrangements for entertainment venues” – and when asked who could, referred further questions to Rogers Arena.

Lepofsky calls it all disappointing finger-pointing.

“When individuals with disabilities who need accessible seating try to get the few seats available, they may encounter this bureaucratic rush,” he said. “Everyone blames everyone else.”

Neither the BC Government, Canucks Sports & Entertainment or Ticketmaster agreed to an on-camera interview.

There is still hope to get seats

Michael Koss, a big fan of the Montreal Canadiens, dreams of attending an NHL playoff game.

Neither she nor her father are optimistic that if the team goes that far, they will be able to secure accessible seats, but they are hopeful that speaking up will be a victory for all people with physical disabilities.

Bob said, “Michael doesn’t have many opportunities in life to really enjoy himself.” “Addressing this issue can raise awareness and encourage venues to prioritize venues with real accessibility needs.”