This year, to celebrate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the SCIO community took part in an accessible travel tour at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The event follows a year of major efforts to make air travel more inclusive—especially for travellers with mobility disabilities who rely on wheelchairs or assistance during boarding. Pearson’s Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) recently highlighted these accessibility improvements in their press release, and helped bring this tour to life, tailoring the experience specifically for people living with an SCI.

Addressing Challenges in Air Travel

Air travel challenges have gained significant attention in recent years, with travellers reporting damaged wheelchairs and even injuries during transfers.
In response, many airlines are strengthening their accessibility policies. Air Canada is among those making improvements and showcased several of their accessibility initiatives during the tour on December 3rd.

Accessibility Features Demonstrated by Air Canada

From centralized check-in areas that help travellers avoid crowds, to bright blue tags that signal mobility devices must be returned directly to the gate, Air Canada is taking extra care to ensure equipment is handled properly.

“We recognise these are highly customised devices to the individual, and we do everything we can to ensure these get to the passenger as soon as they deboard the plane at their destination,” said Robert Mands from Air Canada.

Innovations in Boarding Assistance

One highlight of the tour was a new transfer device that allows passengers to bypass the aisle chair entirely. Using a sling and a narrow wheeled base, the device moves through the aircraft aisle and transfers the traveller directly into their seat using a remote. Called The Eagle, this Australian innovation has already been adopted by Air Canada, with multiple units now in use.

Navigating Check-In, Security & Border Questions

Participants were also guided through check-in and security—two parts of travel that can be stressful for many. Toward the end of the tour, Canadian Border Services Officers joined the group to answer questions about travelling with prescription medications and medical supplies.

Community Perspectives

Participants enjoyed the tour, and many are already thinking ahead to travel in 2026.

“I’ve only done a little bit of travelling since my accident. It definitely worries me, because I use a power chair, and it has been broken once,” said one gentleman who enjoys travelling with his wife. “But we would like to go to more places for sure.”

Reflections from SCIO Peer Support

“Airport orientation events like this are much more than a simple tour of the facilities. The GTAA and Air Canada worked together to create an immersive, end-to-end experience. Participants went through arrivals, checked in their luggage and mobility devices, passed through security, and continued all the way to the gate. There, they had the opportunity to try aircraft boarding equipment, including different sizes of aisle chairs and a newly introduced lifting device that uses a sling to transfer a person from their wheelchair directly into their seat.

Our group was also introduced to new protocols designed to ensure wheelchairs are handled more carefully and secured more safely in cargo. I have lived with a spinal cord injury for many years and have done some air travel, but I still learned a great deal during this visit and was pleased to see the GTAA and Air Canada actively involving end users and seeking first-hand feedback from the people who rely on these accommodations,” said Rick Watters, SCIO Peer Support Manager.

Looking Ahead

We would like to thank Pearson’s Greater Toronto Airports Authority for working closely with us over the past year and helping our community—and people with disabilities more broadly—experience travel in inclusive, accessible ways. Their team continues to improve accessibility features across the airport.

We look forward to continuing this partnership and offering the tour regularly to people with SCI.