Rogers Centre Accessibility

Sometimes talking to the folks at accessibility services makes me feel like I’m talking in circles.

I’m visually impaired, and I have a really hard time following what’s happening on the field when I’m far away. I often travel up to Toronto from Ottawa alone, so I don’t often have a guide or friend with me to describe what’s happening on the field.

The only options accessible services have offered me are listening to the radio to follow the game, or booking wheelchair accessible seating.

The radio would absolutely be a viable option if there wasn’t a 2+ minute lag listening through my phone. I asked if they offered portable radios at fan services- as many other ballparks do for this scenario- and they don’t.

Seats listed as accessible are specifically designed tor folks with mobility issues. As someone who’s legally blind but is otherwise able bodied, these seats don’t serve me in the same way. Not only do booking these seats not meet my specific access needs of being close to the field to follow what’s happening, but it means that I’m taking a seat away from someone who those seats were actually intended for. I feel like often times people don’t realize that “accessible seating” isn’t universally accessible for all disabled folks, and that’s been really frustrating to keep having to explain.

I would LOVE to be able to buy seats near the field in the 100s, but it feels a little unfair to have to pay an arm and a leg for something that’s typically considered a luxury, but is a necessity for me to be able to experience the game in the same way as any sighted person.

It’s especially frustrating because my experiences with other event venues, like concerts, have been so overwhelmingly positive. They have no trouble accommodating closet seating for me and a support person. So it’s just disheartening that the Roger’s centre has so few accessibility policies in place for blind folks.

I only got into baseball a year or so ago. Growing up, sports never really felt like they’d be an inclusive space for me. So far, my stadium experiences have proved that to be true. And of course, the folks at fan services I spoke with can only do so much, but it sucks that there’s so little leeway to support fans who WANT to show up and who WANT to support their team but face these barriers. It sucks that I don’t get to enjoy a ballpark experience like everyone else.

TLDR: Blind and rambling abt the lack of support and accommodations for blind folks at Roger’s Centre </3