Use space to open navigation items
City of Wollongong

Event organisers should provide the opportunity for people with disability to participate equally and share in event experiences. When planning an event consider:

  • Communication needs of people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision
  • Sensory needs of neurodiverse people.

The following can make your event more inclusive:

  • Assistive listening devices such as hearing loops either within a venue or portable hearing loop at outdoor events and venues.
  • Auslan interpreters for spoken elements such as talks or speeches. Auslan Stage Left can also provide specialist theatre-trained Auslan interpreters and Deaf consultants ideal for theatre, arts and concerts.
  • Captioning of spoken content on large screens including video content.
  • Audio description of elements like performance, dance, art, fireworks, and video content.
  • A Quiet Space for people to take a break and desensitise from the activities of the event for people who experience sensory overload in noisy, busy environments. For example, neurodiverse people, people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, people with mental illness. See our Quite Space guide for some tips and examples.
  • A Social Story – which is a brief description of the event and activities which include specific information about what to expect and why. See the 'Information and services' section of our Disability Access Guide for some examples. You can also download our Social Story template DOTX, 84.94 KB or create your own.
  • A Quiet Tour of the event site – offer a tour of the event site before the event for people with neurodiversity or sensory sensitivity.
  • Augmented reality - a creative way to add depth to experience and be more inclusive. For example, this can be provided via phones, QR codes, information displays or recordings.

At events where alternative accessible communication is being used to communicate the formalities, also include accessible communication for other parts of the event. For example, use an Auslan interpreter to interpret a song being performed.