DealHack Guides
Canadian Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Discount Guide: The Ultimate List
13 minute read
The Dealhack Canadian Persons With Disabilities Discount Guide is the result of our quarterly survey of discounts and support programs for persons with psychological, psychiatric, or cognitive disabilities. Every 3 months, our team independently verifies each and every PWD discount on this list. We also add more brands to the list regularly when we come across them.
The list currently includes more than 40 store brands and government agencies conveniently broken down into 7 categories. You can also save or print the list to use as a handy reference.
Take note that in addition to the discounts listed below, many stores and services across Canada offer informal discounts to persons with disabilities (PWDs). When buying something, always be sure to ask the store associate if they offer discounts to PWDs, and don't forget to bring your valid government ID and any documentation (medical certificate, disability card, etc.) that provides proof that you have a disability.
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Discount Programs for Canadian PWDs
Access 2 Card Program: The Access 2 Entertainment Card was created by Easter Seals for PWDs. Members who present their valid Access 2 Entertainment Card when buying tickets at participating movie theatres and theme parks across Canada will pay the regular admission fee, and free entrance is offered to their support person. Application for the Access 2 Entertainment Card costs $20 for a 3-year membership and $30 for a 5-year membership (source).
Disability Travel Card Program: The Disability Travel Card was created by Easter Seals and is available for all persons with a permanent disability accompanied by a personal assistant in Canadian public transportation systems such as Coach, Greyhound, Motor Coach, and VIA Rail. Cardholders will pay the full ticket price and one support person will receive a discount on the adult fare. Click here to download the application form (source).
Telus: Persons with disabilities can apply for the Tech for Good and Internet for Good programs from Telus Canada. Present valid documents to confirm eligibility (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Government Services for Canadian PWDs
Alberta Human Services: The government of Alberta province offers various financial aid assistance and support programs for residents with disabilities. Contact them at 310-0000 or 780-427-2711 or visit their official website (source).
At Home Program: British Columbia residents who have children with special needs or a permanent disability can apply for the At Home Program (AHP) of the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). They the child or teenager with a disability must meet the requirements in order to qualify for PharmaCare, medical equipment, and other benefits as provided by AHP (source).
British Columbia Disability Assistance: Residents of British Columbia can apply for the Disability Assistance Program created by the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR). They must be 18 years old and above with a mental or physical disability that might last for more than two years and restricts them from performing day-to-day activities without the help of an assistive device, support person, or support animal. They must also meet the eligibility requirements for financial assistance as defined by the MSDPR (source).
Manitoba Employment and Income Assistance for PWDs: Residents of Manitoba who have disabilities that prevent them from earning enough income can apply for the Employment and Income Assistance Program (EIA). Single grants for medical supplies and payments for rent may also be requested aside from funding for basic living expenses. Call 204-948-4000 or 1-877-812-0014 for inquiries or visit your local EIA office (source).
New Brunswick Disability Support Program: The Government of New Brunswick offers personal, residential, and technical assistance to residents who are 19-64 years old with a permanent disability. Visit your nearest Social Development office for eligibility inquiries and application procedures (source).
Nova Scotia Disability Support Program: The Nova Scotia Department of Community Services offers financial aid and other assistance to residents with disabilities through the Disability Support Program (DSP). Visit your local office or call them using the phone numbers 1-800-670-4357 or 1-877-404-0867 (source).
Ontario Disability Support Program: PWDs who live in Ontario can receive financial support or career opportunities when they join the Ontario Disability Support Program (OSDP). Eligibility requirements must be met in order to begin the application process. For inquiries, call the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services at 416-325-5666 or 1-888-789-4199 (source).
Prince Edward Island AccessAbility Supports: Residents of Prince Edward Island who have a permanent disability can apply for the AccessAbility Supports program to receive financial aid, housing and community support, personal assistance, and caregiver services. Call 1-877-569-0546 (source).
Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability: The Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability (PHAD) was created by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources to allow PWDs to practice hunting and angling activities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The application form can be downloaded here and must be filled up by the person with a permanent disability together with a licensed healthcare provider (source).
Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability: Residents of Saskatchewan who have a permanent disability can apply for financial support through the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program. For inquiries on eligibility and applications, call 1-888-567-7243 or visit the nearest or visit your local Ministry of Social Services office (source).
Yukon Services for People with Disabilities: The Government of Yukon offers education programs, community and economic assistance, supplementary allowance, home and family support, and other services to residents with disabilities (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Car Rental Discounts for Canadian PWDs
Enterprise Canada: Enterprise Canada allows persons with disability to rent a car if they are accompanied by a support person with a valid driver's license who will drive the car for them. No additional fees will be charged for the support person but age restrictions and other basic qualifications for car rentals still apply (source).
Hertz Canada: Hertz Canada offers assistive devices such as spinner knobs, hand controls, and accessible parking to customers with physical disabilities. For reservations, call 1-800-263-0600 (worldwide) 1-800-263-0678 (Quebec), or 416-620-9620 (Toronto). Persons with physical or visual disabilities who want to rent a car can be accompanied by a personal driver who is at least 25 years old (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Cinema & Theatre Discounts for Canadian PWDs
Cineplex: Cineplex offers free admission to one support person for each guest with a disability who has an Access 2 Entertainment Card. Assistive devices are also available for borrowing at select theatres (source).
Imagine Cinemas: Guests with a disability are can bring their support animals and assistive devices to Imagine Cinemas. The Lakeshore theatre in Tecumseh, Ontario offers free rental of hearing aids and other aid devices. Access 2 Entertainment Cards are accepted at all locations (source).
Landmark Cinemas: Support persons of guests with a disability receive free admission at participating Landmark Cinemas locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario if they can present a valid Access 2 Entertainment Card (source).
Magic Lantern Theatres: Canadians with disabilities who are Access 2 members are eligible for free admission for their support person at Magic Lantern Theatres in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Cardholders will pay the regular ticket price for themselves (source).
Rainbow Cinemas: Rainbow Cinemas offers free admission to the support person of each guest with a disability when they show their valid Access 2 Entertainment Card at all participating locations in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Contact your nearest theatre for more details (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Insurance & Tax Discounts for Canadian PWDs
ICBC: ICBC offers a 25% discount on the basic Autoplan to persons with disability who are 16 years old and above. To qualify, they must apply to the Ministry of Finance's Fuel Tax Refund Program for Persons with Disabilities. Restrictions apply (source).
Retraite Quebec: Residents of Quebec who have contributed enough to the Québec Pension Plan (QPP) are eligible for disability benefits from Retraite Quebec if they are under 65 years old. PWDs under private pension plans who are no longer active members are eligible for a refund. Owners of locked-in retirement accounts (LIRA) can refund them via lump sum or divided payments when they provide a medical certificate of their disability (source).
Revenu Quebec: Residents of Quebec who have a permanent disability are exempted from paying taxes on select assistive devices and services. They can also request tax rebates on select automobile purchases and the installation of automatic door openers. Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) dependents are exempted from certain tax rules on the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) and Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Museum & Park Discounts
Art Gallery of Ontario: The Art Gallery of Ontario offers free admission to the support person of guests with a disability. Wheelchair rentals are available for free upon reservation when you bring a valid photo ID. Assistive devices, medical equipment, and service animals are also allowed as long as certain rules are observed (source).
BC Parks: Canadian persons with disabilities can camp for free at BC Parks when they are part of the MSDPR Disability Assistance Program, the MCFD At Home Program, or Disability Income Assistance from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). They must bring one valid government-issued ID and, depending on which program they are part of, either an original copy of their Release of Information Form for the current calendar year (from MSDPR and ISC) or a Letter of Eligibility from the MCFD (source).
Canada's Wonderland: Canada's Wonderland offers a special boarding pass to guests with a disability and up to 3 companions. Guests with Access 2 Entertainment Cards no longer need to pay the admission fee for their support person. Other accessibility features include 1-day wheelchair rentals, alternate ride entrances, braille handbooks, and special dressing rooms (source).
Casa Loma: Persons with disability do not need to pay admission fees for their support person at Casa Loma. The East Parking Lot has a special drop-off point for PWDs and two wheelchair-accessible spots are available in the West Parking Lot. Mobility devices are available for rent with no extra charges. Support animals are allowed on the estate grounds and in select inside areas (source).
CN Tower: Guests with disabilities who visit the CN Tower in Downtown Toronto can request braille menus in the 360 Restaurant. Wheelchairs are available for rent and can be used on EdgeWalk. The colors used inside the premises do not confuse guests who are visually challenged (source).
MarineLand: PWDs are eligible for admission discounts at MarineLand Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Access 2 cardholders can receive discounts while their support person or companion must pay the regular admission fee. Wheelchair rentals are available near the entrance. Call 905-356-9565 or contact marketing@marineland.ca for more details (source).
Niagara Parks: Niagara Parks is offering full accessibility TO most attractions. Areas with limited accessibility such as White Water Walk and Journey Behind the Falls have a 10% PWD discount. Guests with an Accessible Parking Permit receive special parking privileges. Restrictions apply (source).
Ontario Science Centre: The Ontario Science Centre offers free admission to support Canadian persons with disabilities. Bring a valid Access 2 Entertainment Card or Easter Seals Disability Travel Card. Large print guides, listening devices, and wheelchairs are available for use on-site. Service animals are allowed inside (source).
Royal Ontario Museum: PWDs can request a support person at Royal Ontario Museum or present their Access 2 Entertainment Card to receive free admission for their accompanying personal assistant. Assistive devices and wheelchair rentals are available for free and support animals are allowed in public spaces (source).
Toronto Zoo: The Toronto Zoo offers a discount package for guests with a disability. Members of the Access 2 program can show their card at the ticket booth to get a 50% discount for themselves and free admission for their support person MagnusCards app users can also access special card decks when visiting the zoo (source).
Vancouver Aquarium: Canadian persons with disabilities can request a 50% admission discount at Vancouver Aquarium. Guests accompanied by a support person will pay the full entrance fee but their attendant will receive free admission. Access 2 Entertainment Cards are accepted and assistive devices are available for rent (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Travel Discounts for Canadian PWDs
Air Canada: Air Canada offers medical assistance and special accommodations to Canadian persons with disabilities, allergies, and those who require a service animal or support person during their travels (source).
BC Ferries: Residents of British Columbia who have a permanent disability can get a PWD discount at BC Ferries when they present one valid photo ID and a Disabled Status Identification (DSI) card. Assistive devices and accessible services are available for reservation when you call 1-888-223-3779 (source).
Greyhound: Greyhound Bus Lines offer one personal attendant or one service animal for no extra charges to PWDs. Services and aid devices are available for hearing-impaired, vision-impaired, and mobility-impaired passengers. Call 1-800-752-4841 at least one day before your trip (source).
Porter Airlines: Porter Airlines offers special seating and boarding assistance to PWDs. No extra fee is charged for onboard personal mobility aid devices and one support person accompanying the passenger. Call 1-855-542-3707 at least 24 hours before your flight or email disabilityassistance@flyporter.com (source).
VIA Rail: Passengers with reduced mobility and speech or hearing impairment are eligible for priority boarding and special assistance at VIA Rail Canada when they call 48 hours before their trip and bring a valid medical certificate. One support person who is 12 years old and above can accompany each passenger with A disability for free (source).
WestJet: WestJet and WestJet Encore flights within Canada offer free base fares to the support person of passengers who have disabilities. The personal attendant must be over 18 years old and will still pay any applicable airport taxes and travel fees (source).
Go to: Discount Programs, Government Services, Car Rental Discounts, Cinema & Theatre Discounts, Insurance & Tax Discounts, Museum & Park Discounts, Travel Discounts.
Enjoy your Discounts!
Feel free to share this list to help more PWDs and persons with special needs. If you know about any discounts we missed, please let us know in the comments below!
