A Vancouver Island woman who uses a wheelchair wants Rogers Arena to change its policy after repeatedly being told she can only enjoy shows next to one friend or family member.

Joan Knowler said the issue came up most recently when she tried buying Fleetwood Mac tickets through Ticketmaster earlier this week.

She wanted to sit with her husband and another couple, but was told her that wasn’t possible due to her disability.

“Anytime we go to an event they always say, ‘No, you’re only allowed to sit with one other person, a companion,’” Knowler said.

Even when she’s tried taking in a show with her small family-of-three, Knowler said she’s been refused.

“My daughter or husband has always sat away from me,” she said.

Canucks Sports & Entertainment said seats in its accessible seating area are limited and it won’t sell them to able-bodied guests in advanced.

“However, on the day of an event additional accessible seats can be made available for fully-able individuals, based on availability,” it said in an email statement.

It said the “best option” for guests in wheelchairs is to call Ticketmaster and find seats for friends and family nearby.

The B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities said venues should always consult with the people affected before determining policy.

“Why wouldn’t the person want to be able to go out with a bunch of their friends and families?” executive director Jane Dyson said.

“It’s such a shame when we hear these stories that really probably wouldn’t need much change.”

Knowler said she hopes Rogers Arena will amend its rules so people with disabilities can be accommodated.

Unfortunately, it’s too late for her to buy seats at the sold-out Fleetwood Mac concert.

In 2012, a Justin Bieber fan was told she can’t sit in the VIP section of his concert because of her wheelchair. Rogers Arena gave her free tickets to the show and additional tickets to meet Bieber.

The same year, a Vancouver Canucks fan was unable to take advantage of the Last Seat in the House promotion for a game. Officials agreed to change their policy and offered the man a signed team poster.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Maria Weisgarber