The Disability Travel Card: Help Bringing a Support Person When You Travel
Published July 2, 2026
A Canada-focused guide to the Easter Seals Disability Travel Card, explaining who may apply, what a support person does, and why travellers should confirm current fares and booking rules with VIA Rail.
For someone who needs a support person to travel safely, every trip can mean buying two tickets instead of one. The Disability Travel Card from Easter Seals Canada helps with that on intercity travel — and for everyday city transit, there are separate support-person programs worth knowing about. Here's how both work.
What the Disability Travel Card is
The Disability Travel Card is managed by Easter Seals Canada. It's for people of all types of permanent disabilities who need a support person with them when travelling.
When the cardholder presents the card while buying a ticket with a participating partner, one support person can travel with them at a reduced fare, and the cardholder pays the regular ticket price. The card's participating intercity partner is VIA Rail Canada (Coach Canada has also been listed as a partner). Two more things to know up front: the card doesn't expire, and it can't be used with any airlines.
This is relevant for autism families where a person needs someone alongside them to help with communication, navigating a station, managing sensory load, or personal and medical needs during a trip.
Who is eligible
To qualify, the applicant must have a permanent disability that means they need a support person to assist with things like communication, mobility, personal or medical needs, or accessing goods, services and facilities while travelling. Disability type isn't a barrier — it's about the need for support.
A couple of details:
A health care professional (of an accepted type, who is your own provider and not related to you) must complete and sign the authorization section for new applicants. A diagnosis letter can't be substituted for that section.
A support person is an adult, though the exact age rules vary by travel partner. The card also can't be used for children under 12 on trips where children aren't permitted to travel unaccompanied.
What it costs
There's no fee to apply for the Disability Travel Card, and because it doesn't expire, there's nothing to renew. (There may be a replacement fee for a lost or damaged card.)
How to apply
Complete the application form. You fill in the applicant section; for new applicants, your health care professional completes and signs the authorization section.
Submit it to Easter Seals Canada by mail, email, or fax — the correct office depends on your province (Ontario applications go to the office listed on the form).
Wait about four weeks for processing and delivery, then keep a copy of your application for your records.
When you travel, present the physical card along with personal identification at the ticket office when you buy your own ticket. Incomplete applications are returned, so double-check before sending.
Everyday city transit is different — and often free for a support person
This is the part that trips families up: the Easter Seals Disability Travel Card is for intercity travel (VIA Rail). It's not the card for your local bus, streetcar, or subway.
Most local and regional transit systems run their own support-person programs — frequently called a "Support Person Assistance Card" — which usually let a support person ride free while the rider pays the regular fare. Each system sets its own rules and application process, so you apply directly with the transit provider, not Easter Seals. Examples across Ontario include:
Toronto — TTC (Support Person Assistance Card)
GTA regional — GO Transit / Metrolinx (via the PRESTO system)
Mississauga — MiWay, and other municipal systems (Brampton, Durham, York, Oakville, Burlington, etc.)
Ottawa — OC Transpo
Because policies and card names vary from system to system, the reliable step is to check your local transit provider's accessibility page for their support-person program. If your child uses more than one system, you may need to register with each.
Good to know
Two different needs, two different cards. Think of it as: Disability Travel Card for VIA Rail trips; your local transit's support-person card for daily buses and trains.
Partners can change. Confirm the current intercity partner list on the application form before booking.
It pairs with the Access 2 Card. Access 2 covers a support person's admission at venues (movies, museums, attractions); the Disability Travel Card and local support-person cards cover getting there.
Official links
Disability Travel Card — Easter Seals Canada (see the Disability Travel Card section)
Questions: access2card@easterseals.ca · 1-877-376-6362
For local transit: search your transit system's name plus "support person" or "accessibility" (for example, "TTC Support Person Assistance Card")
Program terms, partners, fees, and application steps can change — please confirm current details with Easter Seals Canada and your local transit provider before applying.
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