Companion admission guide · Verified August 11, 2026
Access 2 Card: what it covers and how to apply
It can make bringing necessary support simpler and less expensive. It is not a general discount card—and it does not replace a venue’s separate accessibility arrangements.
At a participating venue, the cardholder generally pays regular admission and one adult support person receives complimentary or discounted admission.
Start with the right expectation
It is a support-person admission program.
Access 2 is for people of all ages and types of permanent disabilities who require the assistance of a support person at participating Canadian entertainment, cultural and recreation venues.
The cardholder presents the physical card
The official FAQ says the physical card is required. A screenshot or confirmation email should not be treated as a substitute.
The cardholder buys their admission
The program is not “two free entries.” At least one person pays, and other discounts may change how the venue handles the transaction.
One support person receives the venue benefit
The benefit can be free or discounted admission. Each venue sets its own offer and purchase process.
Eligibility
The need for a support person is the key—not a diagnosis list.
The application is for a person with a permanent disability who requires an adult support person for assistance such as eating, medication, communication or use of facilities. Applicants can be children or adults.
Verification is required
- Complete Section C through an eligible professional or organization.
- The verifying health professional cannot be related to the applicant.
- A diagnosis letter is not accepted in place of Section C.
CNIB and residence rules differ
- A CNIB ID copy may replace Section C.
- Canadian citizenship or residence is not required.
- A Canadian mailing address and payment in Canadian dollars are required.
PASS.ca is explaining the published program—not assessing eligibility. Use the current official application for the final requirements.
Application sequence
Four steps, with the verification step planned first.
Use the current official form
Access 2 says the same official form is used for a first card, renewal or replacement. Do not rely on an older copy saved elsewhere.
Complete it for the cardholder
The applicant is the person living with the permanent disability—even when a parent, guardian or another person pays the administration fee.
Arrange the required verification
For a first card, Section C must be completed by one of the listed health professionals or the executive director of a disability service organization. A CNIB identification card copy is the stated exception.
Pay, submit and allow time
The current application form says to allow 4–6 weeks for processing and delivery. Apply before the trip rather than expecting an instant digital card.
Three years or five?
The five-year term is usually the cleaner value.
Current fees are $25 for three years and $35 for five years. The additional two years cost $10, so the five-year term costs $7 per year versus about $8.33 per year for three years.
Divide the card fee by the support-person admission saved at the venues you will actually use. A $25 card recovers its fee after two visits only when each visit saves at least $12.50.
The purchase path families miss
Do not automatically buy a ticket for the support person online.
The official FAQ says advance or online Access 2 transactions are unavailable in most cases, unless the venue has its own process. Check the venue before paying for the full party.
Read the venue’s current accessibility page
Look for “support person,” “attendant” or “Access 2,” not only a general accessibility statement.
Confirm timed-entry instructions
Ask whether to reserve only the cardholder, add a zero-dollar attendant ticket or visit Guest Services on arrival.
Bring the physical card
The support person must attend the same attraction, and the venue may ask for another piece of photo identification.
Four different questions
Access 2 does not answer every accessibility question.
What Access 2 addresses
The card helps identify that a support person is required and provides one complimentary or discounted support-person admission at participating venues.
A different accommodation process
Ride boarding, alternative queue arrangements and transfer requirements are controlled by each venue. Access 2 does not automatically approve them.
A separate day-of-visit plan
Quiet rooms, low-sensory hours, lighting, sound and crowd supports vary. Ask for the venue’s current sensory guide or social story.
More than an accessible entrance
Elevators, slopes, washrooms, ride transfers, seating and equipment availability need venue-specific confirmation.
Save this before the visit
A five-minute confirmation can prevent a bad arrival.
- 01Is the venue still listed by Access 2?
- 02Is the support person free or discounted?
- 03Should an attendant ticket be added online?
- 04Where is the accessible entrance or Guest Services desk?
- 05What separate queue, sensory, mobility or service-animal arrangements are needed?
Official source record
Program rules were checked directly with Access 2.
Verified August 11, 2026. The official FAQ says to allow up to four weeks, while the current application form says 4–6 weeks. PASS.ca uses the longer window so families do not plan too tightly.
- 01Access 2 / Easter Seals CanadaOpen source
Official application, renewal and replacement starting point
- 02Access 2 / Easter Seals CanadaOpen source
Eligibility, processing, physical-card and advance-ticket FAQs
- 03Access 2 / Easter Seals CanadaOpen source
How the cardholder and support-person admission benefit work
- 04Access 2 / Easter Seals CanadaOpen source
Current participating venue directory