Access For Sight Impaired ConsumersAccess For Sight Impaired ConsumersMany air carriers, and other transportation service providers offer significant discounts when a person with a disability requires the assistance of an attendant during travel. Information, policies and procedures for applying for such discounts is available through the following links:
Passengers with disabilities must show medical certification or a doctor's note to receive a 15% discount on the regular fare. Should the passenger be travelling with an attendant, the attendant qualifies for a 15% discount. Seniors age 62 or older can also receive a 15% discount. If the senior is also disabled, they qualify for just one 15% discount.
Service animals are permitted, however the passenger must disclose to the agent when booking the trip and certification and health documentation is required for the service animal.
some stations are very small and do not have additional personnel to act as sighted guides. It is important to advise the agent that you are blind or sight-impaired so that Amtrak personnel from the train might be able to help you to board and/or disembark the train at those smaller un-manned stations. For additional inquiries regarding Amtrak's policies, please call 1 800 872-7245.
NOTE: Presentation of a CNIB National ID card qualifies the cardholder to a discounted fare for themselves when travelling unescorted. IT will also entitle the cardholder to a further discount for their attendant as well.
BC Ferries now offers sighted guide assistance for motor coach passengers travelling on Pacific Coach Lines to Victoria or Greyhound to Nanaimo and northern Vancouver Island. This sighted guide service will provide passengers who are blind or sight impaired with assistance from the motor coach when it arrives on the car deck up to the passenger deck and back when the ferry reaches its destination terminal.
NOTE: As previously reported by some passengers who are blind or sight impaired, Greyhound's concession fare(s) when travelling with an attendant do not require prior notification. The concession is available at time of ticket purchase (including "walk ups") as per Stuart Kendrick - Senior Vice President, Canada Greyhound's letter of June 24, 2010.
A person with a disability is not eligible for a concession fare, however they are permitted to bring an attendant and/or a service animal at no additional charge. People with disabilities requiring an attendant must have a doctor's note stating the requirement for an attendant. The exception to the doctor's note applies to people who are blind or sight-impaired who have a CNIB National ID card. This CNIB card may be used as proof of disability. Passengers must tell the agent when they are pre booking their tickets that they are going to be bringing an attendant/service animal. Service animals do not require certification papers however recognized documentation is always recommended. For further inquiries regarding ViaRail's policies, call 1 888 842-7245.
Canadian Transportation Agency
Additional information can be obtained by calling the Canadian Transportation Agency (week days from 8:00 AM through 8:00 PM, Eastern Time) at 1-888-222-2592 or send a fax to (819) 953-5686.
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
The idea for Traveleyes was evolved by their visually impaired founder Amar Latif. Amar has had extensive experience in travelling to many destinations with many different organisations and often found limitations in these experiences. It was this need to go where he wanted to go and do what he wanted to do that inspired him to establish Traveleyes.