Aliu IsaAccessible Toronto Spots for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Toronto has several initiatives in place, such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines (TADG), to make the city more accessible and inclusive for blind and visually impaired people.
The city is also abundant with tourist attractions that are inclusive and accessible to them! Here are some of the best ones you can visit:
Tangled Art Gallery
Website: https://tangledarts.org
Address: 401 Richmond St W S-124, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
Contact details: +1 647-725-5064
Operating hours:
Tangled Art Gallery is a non-profit art organization dedicated to connecting professional and emerging artists with the public through creative and inclusive exhibits. It’s also one of the leading venues for disability arts in Canada.
Committed to accessibility and inclusion, it has a variety of accessibility features in place, such as tactile signages and audio descriptions for the exhibits. The gallery aims to showcase the work of artists with disabilities and make art accessible to everyone.
One of their exhibits, The Scales That Fall From Our Eyes, is made by a partially blind interdisciplinary artist who explores the activation of human senses beyond vision. It runs from September to November 2023.
Pro tip:
There’s a cafe downstairs where you can buy snacks and drinks as you rest after your tour.
- Wednesday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday to Tuesday – Closed
Art Gallery of Ontario
Website: https://ago.ca
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4
Contact details: +1 416-979-6648
Operating hours:
- Tuesday & Thursday – 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday & Friday – 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in North America. It’s home to a collection of over 95,000 works of art from around the world.
They collaborated with BlindSquare to provide a GPS app that guides people with audio cues and descriptions as they explore the museum. They also feature multi-sensory exhibits that immerse guests through music, scents, and haptics.
Pro tip:
The museum is massive, so it usually takes most of your day to explore all the areas.
Canada’s Wonderland
Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com
Address: 9580 Jane St, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6
Contact details: +1 905-832-8131
Operating hours:
- Friday – 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Monday to Thursday – Closed
Canada’s Wonderland is the largest amusement park in the country, featuring over 200 attractions that include multiple roller coasters and a huge water park. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a parent with kids, you’ll surely find something you’ll enjoy.
Upon entering the park, you can ask for an accessible guidebook that’s available in large print and braille. You can also bring your service animal with you as long as they’re readily identifiable with a visual indicator such as a vest or harness.
Pro tip:
Buy your tickets and parking passes online. They’re cheaper and you get to enter faster.
Bata Shoe Museum
Website: https://batashoemuseum.ca
Address: 327 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7
Contact details: +1 416-979-7799
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The Bata Shoe Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of shoes. It was founded in 1995 by Sonja Bata, wife of the late Thomas Bata who founded the famous Bata Shoe Company.
The museum offers audio tours and smart guides that give fascinating information about historical footwear from various cultures. They also host hands-on exhibits that allow guests to feel the shoes for a more tactile experience.
Pro tip:
Admission is free every Sunday!
Toronto Zoo
Website: https://www.torontozoo.com
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
Contact details: +1 416-392-5900
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada, with over 5,000 animals from all over the world. One of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, it attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year.
The zoo is divided into various biomes that showcase unique animals from different regions of the world. It’s great for all ages and guests are guaranteed to leave the zoo with more appreciation for wildlife.
Various areas in the zoo are equipped with automated entry systems for accessibility. People with disabilities are also eligible for a 50% discount on admission tickets.
Pro tip:
Some areas, like the Canadian Domain, don’t meet current accessibility standards so they’re not recommended for guests with disabilities.
Toronto Botanical Garden
Website: https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2
Contact details: +1 416-397-1341
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is a botanical garden located in the Edwards Gardens complex. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people, plants, and the natural world through education, inspiration, and leadership.
The TBG also offers a variety of educational programs for all ages, including school tours, workshops, and summer camps. The garden is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the heart of the city that occasionally hosts festivals and concerts.
Pro tip:
They don’t allow pets inside so keep that in mind before bringing your furbabies.
High Park
Website: https://www.highparktoronto.com
Address: 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3
Contact details: +1 416-338-0338
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily
High Park is a large park that stretches south from Bloor Street West to The Queensway, just north of Lake Ontario. It’s known for its hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and community centres.
The park is also a popular venue for outdoor performances of Shakespeare. They usually happen at night so bringing a blanket and mosquito repellent is recommended.
Pro tip:
Parking is not allowed on weekends so you’ll have to park on the road near Bloor Street.
