Thank you for your interest in the Access 2 Card Program. Some frequently asked questions are below:
General
How can I access the French version of your website?
Is my Access 2 Card valid across Canada?
Yes. The card is valid at participating attractions across Canada. For a full list of participating venues, please click the “Venues” tab.
I have lost my Access 2 card. What do I do?
A replacement card needs to be purchased, even if your lost card had not expired yet. Your replacement card will be valid for another 3 or 5 years. All lost cards will be remotely deactivated.
Can one person have multiple Access 2 cards?
No. Each applicant is only permitted to have one valid Access 2 card.
I have legally changed my name since I originally applied for a card. What are my next steps to get an updated card?
Please submit a legal name change document to our office.
Do I have to be a Canadian citizen and live in Canada to apply for an Access 2 Card?
The applicant does not need to be a Canadian citizen and live in Canada. However, the mailing address provided on the form needs to be a Canadian address and the administration fee needs to be paid in CA$.
The card can only be used at our venues in Canada.
Submitting and Application Form
Who’s name do I put down as the applicant for Section B?
Section B should be filled out in the name of the person who is living with a permanent disability.
Who can complete Section C of the application for a new Access 2 Card?
One of the 12 health care professionals listed on Section C or the Executive Director of a disability service organization can complete this section. The health care professional who signs Section C
cannot be related to the applicant. The health care professional
does not need to be the same health care professional that provided the original diagnosis.
The only exception to filling out Section C is if the applicant is registered with CNIB and has a CNIB identification card. In this case, we ask for a photocopy of their CNIB identification card to be submitted.
Will you accept any other forms (diagnosis forms etc.) in place of Section C?
Besides a CNIB identification card, no other materials can be accepted in place of Section C.
How long does it take to receive my Access 2 card?
Allow up to four weeks after sending in your application to receive your card. Please refrain from contacting us to check the status of your application. We will contact you if there is a problem with your application.
If you applied more than four weeks ago, please contact us by email (access2card@easterseals.ca) or by phone (1-877-376-6362) and we will be happy to assist you.
If I submit my application by email, should I name the file a specific name?
Yes, please name the file the first name of the applicant and their last name’s initial.
For example, for John Doe please save the file as “John D.”
Renewals
How do I know when my Access 2 Card expires?
The expiry date is printed on the front of your card.
How early should I renew my Access 2 Card?
We recommend renewing your card
two months before it expires. Your early renewal card will be mailed to you the first week of the card’s monthly expiry date. For example, if your card expires on March 31, 2023 and your renewal card is purchased in January 2023, your renewal card will be mailed to you on March 4, 2023.
Your renewal card will be valid once your old card expires.
Can I renew my card if it expired over a year ago?
Yes. We will still have your application on file to process a renewal card request. If your card expired longer than a year ago, please feel free to contact our office in a way that is most accessible and convenient to you.
Do ‘Renewal’ card applicants need to submit Section C?
No. Renewal applicants do not need to submit Section C.
If I am applying for a ‘Renewal’ card online, do I need to complete an application form?
Online renewal applicants do not need to submit an application form.
Is there a cost to renew my Access 2 card?
Yes. There is a cost to purchase a renewal Access 2 Card. The administration fee covers the cost to process a renewal in our system, to print and to mail a card. When a renewal card is purchased it also provides an opportunity for the cardholder to update their address, contact information, and name, if needed.
When should I purchase a Renewal Card and when should I purchase a Replacement Card?
If the Access 2 Card is
expired, please purchase a
Renewal Card.
If the Access 2 Card is misplaced, please purchase a Replacement Card. Even if you are unsure whether the misplaced card is expired, purchasing a replacement card is the fastest way to receive your card. Your misplaced card will be deactivated, despite whether the card is expired. Your replacement card’s expiry date will be for another 3 year or 5 years starting from the date of the replacement card’s printing date.
Payments
Can I pay using a VISA Debit card or debit MasterCard?
YES. Please select the PayPal option during checkout. You will be redirected to PayPal’s website. Use the “Pay with a credit or Visa Debit card” option. Note: A PayPal account IS NOT REQUIRED to complete your Debit transaction.
Who is the purchaser?
The purchaser is the individual whose name is on the credit card.
Who is the Access 2 Card Applicant?
The applicant is the person who is living with a permanent disability.
Where can I input the Access 2 Card Applicant’s name? I only see the purchaser’s information.
The purchaser’s name is automatically input under the applicant’s name. If the purchaser and applicant are two different people, please manually delete the purchaser’s name and input the applicant’s name and date of birth where requested.
How do I know if my online payment was successful?
If your payment went through, you will be taken to a confirmation page that says that the transaction was successful. You will also be given a transaction code (that begins with “ESC-######”).
Can I correct information on the previous payment page?
Yes. However, please use the red “Back” button at the bottom of the online payment platform rather than the “Back” button on your web browser to avoid a payment error.
What are the NSF Cheque Payment and NSF Service Fee options?
NSF means non-sufficient funds or insufficient funds. The NSF option is selected when an Access 2 Card is initially purchased and the administration fee cannot be covered by the balance in the purchaser’s account.
Using the Access 2 Card
Do I need to present the physical card at participating venues?
Yes. The physical card must be presented.
Can I purchase online or advance tickets with my Access 2 card?
In most cases, no. Each venue determines their own policies regarding purchasing advance tickets (online or in-person) using an Access 2 card. Please check with the individual venues. NOTE: Cineplex and Landmark theatres do not permit online tickets to be purchased with an Access 2 card.
