YVR releases Year Two Progress Report on Beyond Accessibility
Vancouver International Airport | L’Aéroport International de Vancouver (YVR), which has been recognized as one of the world's most accessible airports, has released its Year Two Progress Report on Beyond Accessibility. The report provides an overview of what YVR achieved during the second year of its comprehensive three-year Accessibility Plan as well as activities it will continue to advance for next year and beyond.
Serving our community is at the heart of what we do. We are committed to listening and learning from those with lived experiences to invest in services that prioritize accessibility at every touchpoint, remove barriers and create more opportunities for everyone to fully take part in all aspects of the YVR experience.
We continue to make progress toward becoming a truly inclusive and accessible airport that reflects the diversity of our community. This report highlights those efforts.
Since introducing its Accessibility Plan in 2023, YVR has made considerable progress across all eight focus areas outlined in its plan and in compliance with the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations.
YVR is proud to highlight the following achievements from June 2024 through May 2025:
Focus Area | Key Achievement |
Built Environment | Inside the terminal, three quiet spaces were added, which are equipped with sound-dampening materials to support guests who may experience sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or other neurodiverse needs. As well as two designated indoor animal relief areas for guests travelling with service animals and pets. Outside of the terminal, intercom buttons and seating benches were added for easier curbside assistance for guests. |
Information and Communication Technologies | Integrated YVR’s mobility assistance program into our Digital Twin, supporting our team with maintaining wheelchair availability in various locations to meet guest needs to optimize operational efficiency. |
Communication | Installed 27 assistive listening devices at check-in counters, providing support to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The listening devices transmit sound directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants equipped with a telecoil, reducing background noise and enhancing audio clarity. |
Procurement of Goods, Services and Facilities | Purchased a passenger boarding ramp for South Terminal, equipped with a canopy cover to shield passengers from weather conditions. The ramp provides a faster, more comfortable means of boarding and deplaning. |
Design and Delivery of Programs and Services | Launched the individual Travel Rehearsal Program to provide an opportunity for passengers with booked travel to rehearse the various airport steps before their flight. This program helps reduce barriers to air travel and aims to make the airport a less stressful and more familiar environment. Piloted autonomous pod technology through A&K Robotics, providing travellers with more freedom to reach their gates and access airport services with greater independence. |
Transportation | Improved curbside signage with braille and tactile for courtesy shuttles, taxis and ride app pick-up locations. |
Consultations | Engaged with community partners both online and in-person and held monthly check-ins with accessibility consultants to review ongoing initiatives, address barriers and ensure alignment with inclusive design best practices. |
Employment | Conducted a company-wide workspace refresh built upon inclusivity and accessibility that featured wheelchair accessible workstations, noise management innovations, leading ergonomics and braille and tactile signage, and fulfilled YVR’s commitment to accessibility and our long-term workplace goals. |
YVR is committed to providing everyone with a smooth and seamless airport experience. Our plan and ongoing progress are deeply rooted in listening closely to our guests, community partners, employees and community. Response and reaction to YVR’s Year Two Progress Report on Accessibility from the accessibility community can be found here.
To read YVR’s Year Two Progress Report on Accessibility or for more information about accessibility features at the airport please visit Accessibility Plan & Feedback | YVR.