Personal assistance for leisure activities (PAL)

Our personal assistance for leisure activities (PAL) program makes joining our programs possible, comfortable and more enjoyable for people with disabilities.

On this page:

  1. About the PAL card program
  2. Eligibility
  3. Apply
  4. Partners
  5. When the PAL card is not accepted

Apply for a PAL card

 

About the PAL card program

With a PAL card, people with disabilities can bring a helper, often a friend or family member, to help them take part in city-run programs. In most cases, there is no extra cost for the assistant to attend, as they are there to make sure participant can partake and enjoy the activity, and are not there to participate themselves.

We accept the PAL card for city-run programs, including:

  • public swims
  • public skates at arenas
  • community centres
  • golf courses

To use your PAL card, present the card when paying your program fees. The membership will also be listed on your ActiveNet account.

Attendants must be 15 years of age or older. Different attendants may assist the program participant on different days.

You cannot use the PAL card for ticketed events at our facilities run by third-party organizations, businesses, or promoters.

Eligibility

The PAL Card is the right fit for anyone who:

  • is 4 years of age or older
  • has a disability that has lasted longer than six months
  • has a disability that cannot be eliminated by the use of a technical aid, such as eyeglasses

Temporary PAL cards are available for those with temporary disabilities.

Attendants must be 15 years of age or older. Different attendants can help the program participant on different days.

What you need to apply

To apply for the PAL card, you will need: 

  • your name and contact information – address, phone, email and date of birth

  • two references* who can confirm your disability.  We will contact both references.

* If you use MobilityPLUS, you may include your MobilityPLUS ID number, along with your applicant details, on your application. You won’t need to provide references. 

References must be able to evaluate that the applicant meets the PAL card criteria. Examples of appropriate references include:  

  • an agency or service provider – i.e. KidsAbility, Sunbeam, etc. 

  • an occupational therapist or physiotherapist 

  • a teacher 

  • a doctor or nurse  

Apply

Apply for a PAL card online or visit any City of Kitchener community centre, swimming pool or Kitchener City Hall to apply in person.

If approved, we will mail your PAL card to you.

Partners

PAL cards are accepted at programs across Waterloo and Wellington Region. Partners may have their own rules regarding entry requirements.

Open the accordions below to learn about our PAL card partners and use criteria.

Municipal programs or facilities

  • Pools
  • Arenas
  • Community Centres (direct leisure programs)
  • Golf Courses – Doon, Rockway, Grey Silo

PAL card partners

  • AR Kaufman YMCA
  • Bingemans
  • Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort
  • Chicopee Tube Park
  • Conestoga Sailing Club
  • Driftwood Martial Arts
  • Funvilla / Grand River Rocks
  • Games on Tap
  • Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Market Sport Inc.
  • Max’s Golf Centre
  • Stork Family YMCA
  • THEMUSEUM

Municipal programs or facilities

  • Aquatics
  • Arenas
  • Direct Leisure Programs
  • Arts, Culture and Special Events

PAL card partners

  • iBowl
  • Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
  • Cambridge Ice Centre
  • Dickson Bowl
  • Wedges N'Wood Golf Academy
  • YMCA of Cambridge

Municipal programs or facilities

  • Aquatics
  • Arenas
  • Direct Leisure Programs
  • Arts, Culture and Special Events
  • Guelph Transit

PAL card partners

  • Guelph Transit
  • YMCA- YWCA of Guelph

Municipal programs or facilities 

  • Wilmot Recreation Complex
    • swimming
    • skating

Municipal programs or facilities

  • Woolwich Memorial Centre

  • Where program or facility policies require adult supervision of a child PAL card holder, the PAL card will not be accepted, and the adult participating with the child with a disability will be required to pay the admission/fee. For example: A child who is too young to swim alone at a family swim – An adult would be required to supervise the child and therefore would pay their own admission.
  • The PAL card is not accepted for ticketed events held at municipal facilities that are operated by external organizations, businesses or promoters. For example: Tickets purchased for events, concerts or Kitchener Ranger hockey games offered at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex or the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex are not eligible for the PAL card program.
  • PAL card partners that participate in the PAL card program develop their own criteria for accepting the PAL card at their programs and facilities. Where possible, we will outline the criteria for PAL card partner programs.
  • Cineplex Entertainment Theatres (Galaxy, Cineplex Odeon, Famous Players and Silver City) do not participate in the PAL program. However, they do participate in the Access 2 Entertainment Program. You can apply directly through Easter Seals or Link to Access 2 Entertainment webpage. This access card is accepted at a variety of programs and entertainment venues across Canada.

If a program or business is not on our list and you would like to use your PAL card to participate, please contact them directly to ask whether the PAL card is accepted. If you are aware of a program that accepts the PAL card and it is not listed, please let us know and we'll add it to our list.

 

When the PAL card is not accepted

The PAL card is not accepted for ticketed events held at municipal facilities that are run by external organizations, businesses or promoters.

Adult supervision

Where program or facility policies require adult supervision of a child, the PAL card will not be accepted and the adult participating with the child who has a disability will have to pay the program fee (for example, a family swim where a child is too young to swim alone).

Access 2 Card

The Access 2 Card through Easter Seals offers access to entertainment venues (Cineplex, Imagine, Landmark and Rainbow Cinemas). It is not part of the PAL card program. Apply for an Access 2 Card on their website.

Contact Us

City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca