BY LOCALS, FOR LOCALS!
Introducing the Local List, our new series highlighting cool people doing cool things around Vancouver. Each week, we’ll check in on what they’re working on and get their go-to spots and personal recs. This week we're honoured to have Kaitlyn Sahay share her experiences with accessibility in Vancouver so that more people can experience what this city has to offer. I've found myself crying (happy tears) multiple times while reading Kaitlyn's words and relaying them to our site and socials. This is exactly the type of thing that we love to share!
Accessibility & the City With Kaitlyn Sahay
KAITLYN SAHAY
MAY 2026
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Ocean views, mountains in the distance, endless things to do, it’s the kind of place
people dream about exploring. But for me, and for so many others, there’s always been
another layer to that experience.
I was born with a leg condition, so I’ve spent my life navigating the city a little differently.
More recently, an injury brought me back to using crutches and a wheelchair, and it
reminded me just how much accessibility shapes the way I move through the world.
Things like stairs aren’t just stairs.
They’re decisions.
They’re hesitation.
They’re sometimes the reason you don’t go at all.
And yet, this city has so much to offer, if you know where to go.
One place I keep coming back to is the Sea to Sky Gondola. It’s one of those rare
experiences where you don’t have to compromise. From the moment you arrive,
everything feels considered. Accessible gondolas, elevators, wide pathways. You get to
take in the full beauty of it without thinking ten steps ahead. That feeling of just being
present is something I don’t take for granted.
PHOTO: KAITLYN SAHAY
For bigger events, BC Place is one that stands out. I was there on crutches, and while
those kinds of venues can feel overwhelming at first, it ended up being a positive
experience. Accessible parking nearby, elevators, and choosing seats close to the
entrance meant I didn’t have to navigate stairs or overthink every step.
Moments like that matter more than people realize because it’s not just about attending
something, it’s about being able to be there fully, without the stress of whether you’ll
manage.
PHOTO: KAITLYN SAHAY
For something a little different, FlyOver Canada surprised me in the best way. It’s
immersive, exciting, and something my kids absolutely loved, but what stood out most
was how easy it was to navigate. Elevators, helpful staff, thoughtful design. Experiences
like that remind me that accessibility doesn’t have to take away from the magic, it can
make it possible.
PHOTO: KAITLYN SAHAY
Sometimes, the best places are the simplest ones. Tsawwassen Mills is one of those.
Wide walkways, lots of space, and no feeling of being rushed or overwhelmed. It’s
somewhere you can just go, wander, grab food, and not have to think about whether
you’ll be able to get around.
PHOTO: KAITLYN SAHAY
And then there are the quiet moments, places like Alexander Falls, where you park and
you’re essentially there. No long walks, no barriers, just natural beauty that’s mobility
accessible. Those kinds of spots feel like hidden gems, even though they shouldn’t be.
Accessibility isn’t always about big, obvious features. Sometimes it’s about small things
like where you sit, how far you have to walk, and whether there’s a place to rest.
PHOTO: KAITLYN SAHAY
It’s also about people.
The staff who let you in early, so you don’t have to stand in line.
The ones who offer help without making it awkward.
The spaces that feel like they’ve thought about you, even if they’ve never met you.
Not all disabilities are visible. And not all accessibility needs look the same.
But everyone deserves to experience this city—not just see it from the outside.
For me, that’s what Accessibility & the City is about.
Finding the places that work.
Sharing them.
And hopefully making it a little easier for someone else to say yes to going out.
