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Australia Day 2024 accessibility information
The Australia Day Council of NSW strives to ensure all activities and events are accessible and inclusive so they can be enjoyed by everyone who wishes to participate.
On the Australia Day Accessibility and Inclusion page, you will find information about the measures they’ve implemented to support those with physical, cognitive, sensory or neurological considerations.
These include designated accessible viewing areas at events for people with a disability or limited mobility and details on securing a spot.
Some of the accessibility and inclusion initiatives below.
Tactile Tour & Audio Description – A tactile and sensory tour for the blind or low vision community at 5 pm for guests who register to attend the Australia Day Live Concert.
To continue this journey, audio description will be provided for the first time at the Australia Day Live Concert. Pre-registered guests can register for the wireless headphones to listen to a description of the visual aspects of the performance described live by experienced audio describers from the Sydney Opera House.
Assistant Animal Area – An area designed to provide assistance animals relief and water stations.
Changing Places amenities – Two Changing Places amenities will be provided on Australia Day at the following locations:
- Circular Key West, Overseas Passenger Terminal (under the bridge)
- Inside the Sydney Opera House, on the Box Office Level
Recharge stations – There will be charging points at both the Sydney Opera House and the Overseas Passenger Terminal for power-wheelchairs and scooters.
Quiet Spaces – There will be two quiet spaces at the following locations:
- Inside the Sydney Opera House, Tide Room from 5.30 pm to 10 pm
- Bligh and Barney Reserve (near Cadman’s Cottage) from 10 am to 10 pm
Visual Story – This was developed in collaboration with Autism Spectrum Australia to assist guests with what to expect upon arrival and what they might experience throughout Australia Day, to mitigate potential sensory triggers that are likely to occur throughout the event. Download the Australia Day 2024 Visual Story here. There will also be hard copies at each quiet space during the day.
Haptic Vests – Haptic vests will be available at the Australia Day Live Concert to allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind to experience music like never before. This is a wearable device, similar to a life vest, that makes music tactile. Guests can pre-register for the Haptic Vests on our Australia Day website.
There will also be some great inclusive activities taking place at the Mega Kidz Zone at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, like Wheelchair Basketball and Silent Disco from 10.30 am to 4 pm.
