Accessibility

The District of West Vancouver has taken steps toward making all its facilities accessible to people of differing abilities.

All levels of the West Vancouver Municipal Hall are accessible by elevator, and washrooms on the lower level are wheelchair-accessible. The District has more work to do in terms of making the municipal hall more accessible for people with visual and hearing impairments.

All of our cultural facilities offer parking for people with disabilities, and the Silk Purse, Ferry Building Gallery, and John Lawson Studios are accessible on the lower floor. Our community centres and recreation facilities offer many accessibility features.

The West Vancouver Memorial Library has had extensive renovations to make all levels of the facility wheelchair-accessible and offers power-assisted entrance doors. The library offers Talking Book programs for people who are unable to read print material due to visual, physical or cognitive disabilities, and large print books too. Adaptive technologies include high-contrast keyboards and screen magnifiers are available. The library’s Welsh Hall meeting room is equipped with hearing loops for those with hearing aids, and headsets for those without hearing aids.

For moving around in West Vancouver, the District has installed:

audible pedestrian signals for the visually impaired
pedestrian bulges with curb letdowns to reduce crossing distances for people with mobility issues
tactile mats at curb letdowns for visually impaired
accessible bus pads at key stops for people using wheelchairs and electric scooters
extended pedestrian crossing time for slower movers.

Accessibility Policy

The District of West Vancouver is committed to implementing, maintaining and enhancing accessibility for all by demonstrating a leadership role in meeting the needs of all community members for whom accessibility is a concern.

Accessibility Policy

If you are a person with a disability, the Leisure Access Card makes it easier for you to use our programs and services with support. You can also meet with a District staff person to discuss adaptations or ideas for making your experience with us better. The application is mandatory for participants over the age of seven who use our facilities more than once with a support worker.

For information, contact the Recreation Access Coordinator:

604-925-7279

Email
Our specialized programs give you or your family member or friend opportunities to recreate. We have a special swim time that lets you enjoy the freedom of the water. The pool is equipped with lift/swing systems, adjustable beds and a pool cart for use in our wheelchair-accessible change rooms. Ask at the front desk.

Karate is a great form of exercise for anyone, including kids with physical disabilities. We offer a course for children aged seven years and older, and another for youth 13 years and older, that focuses on mental discipline, adaptability, self-defense and strength from accomplishment. For youth, we offer a social skills program for youth with development disabilities, adapted yoga that focuses on pain management issues and improving strenth and flexibility.

For adults, we offer courses in karate, therapeutic yoga, and arthrocize (water exercise). We have special exercise and movement programs for people who have had joint replacements and heart issues, and for people who have osteoporosis.
One-to-one support in summer camps

One-to-one support in summer camps returns this summer!

Our camps run on a philosophy of inclusion, so all children have fun with their peers and participate to the best of their ability in summer camp activities.

Family-provided support

Families are welcome and encouraged to bring their own support person to any program. A participant in a camp is not considered support for another camper. If your child will be attending with their own support person, please let us know when you have registered by calling 604-925-7279. This will help us plan for the extra person (e.g., for admissions and bus transportation).

Request summer camp support

If your family is not providing your own support person, we are offering support to children aged 5–15, based on availability and funding. Your child must be able to use the washroom as well as change and transfer independently. Your child’s safety, the safety of other participants, and the safety of District of West Vancouver staff are our primary considerations.

If your child receives full or part-time support of an Education Assistant (EA) during the school year or if your child requires support to participate in recreation—please fill out a Summer Camp Recreation Inclusion (SCRI) application and let us know when you have registered or are waitlisted by calling 604-925-7279. The SCRI application is also available at any recreation facility front desk.

Children may receive a maximum of one to two weeks of support during the summer. Applications are processed on a first-come basis.
The Recreation Financial Assistance Program minimizes financial barriers and encourages equal participation and access to all community centre recreation and leisure services.

Who is the program for?

Families and individuals who meet the following criteria:
1. West Vancouver residents: proof of residency is required for all family members, and
2. Low income, without significant savings or assets
For detailed requirements please refer to the Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program information handout.

What are the benefits of the Recreation Financial Assistance Program?
- 100% subsidy towards Enhance West Van memberships
- 50% subsidy on FitPasses
- 50% subsidy on activities (up to a maximum of $400 for adults and $500 for children and youth per subsidy year)
Note: The following are not eligible for a subsidy through the RFAP: birthday parties, personal training, private- or semi-private lessons or sessions, fitness and nutritional assessments, consultations and screenings, textbooks, belt testing, exam fees, events, facility rentals, tables at craft fairs, and admission fees on excursions. Other exclusions may apply.

Recreation Financial Assistance Program Update

Fill out fillable PDF versions of the forms or pick them up at the West Vancouver Community Centre front desk.
- Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout
- Recreation Financial Assistance Program Application
What are the steps to apply for the Recreation Financial Assistance Program?
1. Ensure you qualify for recreation assistance: Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout. Note the program is only available to West Vancouver residents.
2. Create an account at activewestvanrec if you do not have a current recreation account. Create the account online or with the assistance of staff from the West Vancouver Community Centre.
3. Complete and sign the Recreation Financial Assistance Program Application form. Applications cannot be processed without a signed and dated application form.
4. Gather copies of supporting documents listed in the Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout. Include your most recent tax information. Please include any EI or CERB documents if you received these benefits.
5. Drop off your signed and completed application form and copies of your supporting documentation to the West Vancouver Community Centre front desk. Your signed, completed original application form and copies of supporting documents should be in a sealed envelope to the attention of: Access Services - Recreation Financial Assistance Program. Please print your name, phone number and email (if you have an email address) on the outside of the envelope as well as inside the package. Important: with your application, please state whether you require the return of your supporting documents as you will be responsible for picking them up once the application process is completed.
6. Staff will register you for a Recreation Financial Assistance Program Interview when you drop off your envelope. Registration is not available online. There is no specific date or time attached to this interview. The registration confirms that you have dropped off your signed application and supporting documents.
7. Review of your application and supporting documents will take 2-6 weeks depending on volume of applications received. Your documents will be held in a secure area. Once your submitted material is reviewed you will be contacted by Access Services via phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional documents if anything is missing. No in-person meeting will occur. Access Services may schedule a virtual meeting with you to take place via the telephone or MS Teams.
8. Your application will be assessed and you will be contacted with the result of your application via phone or email.
9. When you receive the results of your application, please confirm with Access Services whether you require the return of your supporting documents as you will be responsible for retrieving them.
10. If you possess only electronic versions of your supporting documents: please follow the above process by dropping off your completed, signed application and add a note inside the envelope to state you have electronic versions of documents only. The front desk will register the drop off of your envelope and you will be contacted by Access Services with instructions as to how to upload your documents to a secure server. Please do not email any supporting documents.
Additional Subsidies and Free Activities

Discounted student, family and seniors rates are available for designated drop-ins and memberships. View Passes and Admissions for more information about other low-cost programs.

Free activities include an outdoor basketball court and table tennis at the West Vancouver Community Centre, tennis courts throughout West Vancouver, youth drop-in programs at the Youth Hub at Park Royal South, West Vancouver Community Centre and Gleneagles Community Centre.

Other Funding Sources

Contact these local organizations for information about additional funding available for children (5 years+) and youth:

Kidsport Fund
604-983-6480

Athletics for Kids
604-985-5676

More Information

Enquire at West Vancouver Community Centre reception or contact:

Access Coordinator
604-925-7279
The Access Program ensures equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, families in need of financial assistance and newcomers to the community.

Qualifying for Financial Assistance Program - Information Handout

Recreation Financial Assistance Program Application

Leisure Access Card Application

Recreation Inclusion Application (Request for Support for Summer Camp Programs)