Disabled man feels shut out of accessible seating as venues — including Rogers Arena — fail to stop abuse

A Langley, B.C., man who often relies on a wheelchair says he can rarely attend hockey games or concerts at Rogers Arena because seats are often taken by people who might not need them.

After a 2006 car accident, Michael Coss suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent six months in a coma. Despite daily physical therapy, he is at high risk of falling and uses a walker or wheelchair. He lives in a group home and says leisure activities are essential.

"It's important for me to have a sense of normalcy," said Coss. "To be able to enjoy simple things. Life can't just be about rehab."

The accessible sections at Rogers Arena might be considered prime seating areas. They're designed for people to manoeuvre wheelchairs and other mobility devices, so there's plenty of legroom, only one row of seating so no one is squeezing by to get to their seat, and chairs that can be pulled up for attendants or family and friends of those with disabilities. There's often a ledge that provides a convenient spot for food and drinks.

Major venues across the country sell these designated accessible seats on the honour system — people simply have to tick a box saying they need the seats, and there's no proof required. 

Coss says that's leading to abuse by many people he sees sitting in the section.

"No wheelchair. No cane," he said. "That section should be for people with a physical or cognitive disability."

Advocates say Coss's experience reflects a broader problem: those who abuse the system are leaving people who actually need the seats shut out and, and nobody — including venues, ticketsellers or the government — is stepping up to solve the problem.

Michael's father Bob Coss acknowledges that some disabilities are invisible. But says he was able to get tickets to a recent hockey game, where he overheard two men nearby, openly boasting about how easy it was to sit in the accessible section.

"They were bragging about being able to buy these tickets, even though they had no disability," said Bob. "It's not only frustrating, it is totally unacceptable."

To investigate who is sitting in seats clearly designated for people with disabilities, Go Public purchased tickets at Rogers Arena for a concert directly behind an accessible section.

Of the thirty people seated, only two were in wheelchairs. One person had crutches. Everyone else walked in and out, with no indication of a mobility issue, although some may have had invisible disabilities — such as a physical, mental or neurological condition that isn't obvious but significantly affects a person's daily life.

When Go Public approached a woman walking out of the section, she said the section is intended for people who are in wheelchairs, but that anyone can buy tickets online. She then said she had fractured her foot. 

Another man said quietly that he and his wife often purchase tickets in that section because there's lots of room and the views are very good.