The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is proud to provide services that create an easily accessible Festival site for those who might otherwise find the outdoor beach location difficult to negotiate. We provide assistance, information, and a variety of services to help facilitate ease of use for our patrons with disabilities or mobility issues.


American Sign Language (ASL)
 interpretation for select performances throughout the weekend.  Times and stages to be announced mid June.

 


THE ACCESS GATE IS LOCATED at the east side of Jericho Park at the end of Second Avenue just west of Wallace Street.
To access the Access Services Gate by vehicle enter off Point Grey Road where you will be directed through the parking lot for easy access.


The Access Services tent can be found west of the Artisan Market; Access Services volunteers can also be found throughout the Festival grounds. Our services include:

  • Attendant ticket policy: when a person with a disability or mobility issue purchases a full-price ticket (weekend or day ticket) they may bring an attendant or companion at no charge. For additional information see our Ticket Information page.
  • Roped off viewing areas for disabled patrons and their companions are located at most daytime stages.
  • Seating for people with disabilities, and their companions, at a raised and covered platform located near the middle of the Evening Concert Stage audience.
  • Access corridors to easily maneuver the Folk Festival grounds.
  • Performer schedule available in both Braille and large-print; pick-up at the Access Services gate, the Main gate on West 4th avenue, or the Access Services tent.
  • Site maps and a list of Access Services are available at the Access Services gate, the Main gate on West 4th avenue, or the Access Services tent.
  • Ramped accessible washrooms for the exclusive use of Universal Access patrons with sanitary hand-washing stations close by.
  • Private shaded rest area for personal care needs in the Access Services tent.
  • An Access Services gate dedicated exclusively to patrons with disabilities or mobility issues; advanced tickets are required for the use of the Access Services gate.
  • Easily accessible drop-off/pick-up area at the Access Services gate located at the east side of Jericho Beach Park; HandyDART service pick-ups and drop-offs will be located on the west end of West Second Avenue, at the Access Services gate. Please note: HandyDART service must be pre-booked; see the HandyDART website for more information.
  • Limited parking, for people with a designated Provincial Access Parking Permit, available; stalls located near the Access Services gate, at the west end of West 2nd Avenue, just left off Wallace Street.
  • Limited number of manual wheelchairs available for loan at the Access Services tent.
  • Service animals welcome.
  • On-site assistance available from the Access Services Committee.

If you have any questions or requests regarding access please email access@thefestival.bc.ca.

Access

Donna Lee | MySpace Video

A note from the filmmaker, Donna Lee (VFMF Volunteer- Video Committee):

Access, a video on the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Disabled Access Committee is a labour of love to honour the dedication the Festival has towards creating an inclusive and accessible environment for patrons with disabilities each summer at Jericho Beach. A cross between my work on the Video Committee this past summer and my 16 years as an Access volunteer, Access is a short documentary featuring the voices of patrons such as Bonnie Klein, who describes the Festival as “the model” for how festivals can be accessible. As well as other patron interviews, the doc features interviews with veteran volunteers and access pioneer Cindy Warren, who’s served as Co-Coordinator for over 26 years. Shot over a beautiful summer weekend, Access is a shout-out for accessible services, and a challenge to other festivals to be accessible. Thank you to the Festival and to the Video Committee for supporting the production of this video.

SiteLock