The Companion Leisure Card (CAL)

Formerly known as the Tourism and Leisure Companion Sticker (VATL), the Companion Leisure Card (CAL) provides free admission at partner tourism and leisure organizations to the companion of a person with a disability.

The result of work led by the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Higher education, Tourism, Culture and Communications, and Health and Social Services, this initiative aims to promote the participation of people with disabilities in summer activities, while enjoying the reassuring presence of their caregiver.

Who is the CAL for?

Free and renewable every five years, the CAL is issued to the person with a disability, who must have the card on them and present it at places that accept the CAL.

The CAL is for any person five years or older with a physical (hearing, cognitive, language, motor skills or visual) or intellectual impairment or a mental health issue, which causes a significant and persistent disability in accomplishing their everyday activities.

A companion is thus defined as the person who enables the person with a disability to enjoy an activity through the support and assistance that they provide in:

• Eating
• Getting about
• Communicating
• Personal care
• Finding their way
• Ensuring activities are done safely

In other words, caregivers are considered companions under the CAL.

How to apply

You can apply for the CAL online or using a printable form.

Depending on the situation of the person with a disability, different pieces of identification will be required. To find out which situation applies to your loved one, consult the How to apply section on the l’Association québécoise pour le loisir des personnes handicapées (AQLPH) website.

Resources

• You can find everything you need to know about the CAL on the AQLPH website.
• You can also contact AQLPH by email or by telephone at 1-833-693-2253.
• Many places throughout Quebec accept the CAL. To find out the partner organizations in your area, you can consult the Directory of Partner Organizations on the website.

Do you want more information on the CAL and how to apply? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Caregiver Support by phone at 1-855-852-7784 or by email at info-aidant@lappui.org. They will provide you with information and help you make the most of the summer with your loved one.