In 2019, CAN/LET’S worked with VPS, doing accessibility audits on all their Pride events, including having a team of 15 at the Vancouver Pride Parade. We are very proud to announce that, as a direct result of the work we did and the recommendations and feedback we offered, the Vancouver Pride Society has changed the parade route and location of their festival.
As they say on their website:
“We are so excited to announce that the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival will be undergoing some exciting changes this year. These updates were made following community consultations and aim to make the event more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone who attends.
Starting this year, the Vancouver Pride Parade will begin at the intersection of Davie Street and Denman, and will proceed down Beach Avenue and Pacific Street, where it will end at the new festival site at Concord Community Park.”
Examples of the benefits of a new parade route include:
• The parade used to end on an uphill, which was hard for
many who have difficulties with walking and it came as a
surprise to those not familiar with the West End’s physical
features. It will now start on the hill, making it easier for
people to have energy at the beginning of the parade and
having the rest of the route be flat.
• The new parade route has plenty of access to parks and
the seawall. This is especially helpful to those who may get
overwhelmed by the crowds, noises, celebrations.
• The new route has wider streets which allows for more
people and an additional accessibility seating area.
• The new route has better access to transit, including
skytrain and aqua bus.
The Pride Festival is held on the same day as the Pride Parade. The Festival location was Sunset Beach Park. The new location is Concord Pacific, next to Science World.
Examples of the benefits of a new parade route include:
• There is a steep hill to access Sunset Beach. The new
location is flat.
• Concord has access to 3 skytrain routes. This allows for
easier access and a better distribution of people arriving
and leaving.
• Access to the aqua bus.
• No sand in walking paths and less grass.
• Larger grounds.
• A playground.
• Access to the seawall.
The Pride Festival is also being expanded to 2 days instead of 1. From VPS’ website: “The Vancouver Pride Festival will also be expanding its programming to the entire weekend, featuring entertainment, music and vendors over two days.” This benefits those who were unable to attend the festival because their participation in the Pride Parade took too
much of their energy, caused too much pain, or had them in sensory overload.
LET’S celebrates Vancouver Pride Society for taking this giant step and for prioritizing the needs of people with disabilities in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We have already
heard from members who have previously not been able to attend Pride, who will be able to participate this year.
In other exciting news, LET’S will have booths at East Side Pride and Vancouver Pride Festival. At East Side Pride, we will also be hosting the low sensory tent.