HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…
read moreMelbourne and Olympic Parks recently held, for the first time, an ‘all abilities tour’ at John Cain Arena for guests with accessibility requirements before a series of international basketball events.
The tour initiative, facilitated by disability inclusion consultancy Get Skilled Access, provided an opportunity for Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) to reinforce its commitment to ensuring the precinct is a place for everyone to enjoy by undergoing the rigorous assessment of accessibility ahead of the series of international basketball events at John Cain Arena.
Guests were invited to visit John Cain Arena ahead of the Harlem Globetrotters World Tour and Ford Ballin’ Series – featuring all Australian basketball teams before they departed for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics to familiarise themselves with the venue and its accessibility features.
Get Skilled Access conducted an audit of the event experience and provided recommendations for improvements. Several recommendations were immediately implemented, including the use of tensa barriers to ensure a standard aisle width that accommodates wheelchair users, and designated accessible entrances in addition to the accessible lanes at main gates.
A range of improvements were also made to the event day experience, with officers from the Inclusion Project on hand to assist guests who may have non-visible disabilities and require more understanding or assistance in the event environment.
As a partner of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, M&OP event staff were able to utilise the internationally recognised Sunflower inclusion tool to assist guests with non-visible disabilities, providing support, assistance and understanding to ensure everyone’s event experience was a memorable one. An occupational therapist was also present in the venue’s sensory room, providing further expertise and advanced support for guests using the space’s facilities.
Looking ahead, M&OP has committed to continuing to improve the experience for guests with accessibility requirements, including improved signage throughout the precinct and innovative solutions to improve accessibility of key event functions such as food, beverage, and merchandise outlets.
John Cain Arena Venue Manager, Kerry Gassner noted “our recent international basketball events, and particularly the matches with our Australian Wheelchair basketball teams, showcased the true essence of accessibility and were the prefect opportunity of us to evaluate where we’re at as a venue and consider opportunities for improvement.
“Incorporating the voices of people with disability was critical to our success, and it was exciting to see our team galvanise behind this work and partner with Get Skilled Access to ensure we were receiving industry-leading advice from people with lived experience.
“The ‘all abilities tour’ in particular was a fantastic new initiative and opportunity to welcome people who may not have visited the precinct before, helping to build confidence and familiarity to ensure a great event experience.
“With more than 3.5 million people visiting the precinct annually, it’s crucial that our facilities are accessible to everyone, and we look forward to considering more opportunities to run all abilities tours, and other initiatives for guests with accessibility requirements, in the future.”
Get Skilled Access Co-Chief Executive Zack Alcott added "our access and inclusion audit was a thorough assessment conducted to identify opportunities for enhancing fan experience at Melbourne and Olympic Parks for people with disability and access needs. This audit was conducted for the first time during a busy event with guests inside the venue.
“Our report provides Melbourne and Olympic Parks with additional ways to build upon its impressive commitment to improving access and inclusion at its events.
“The importance of providing a dignified and inclusive experience cannot be overstated, as an increasing number of people with disability are attending events, often accompanied by friends, family members, or support workers."
Muscular Dystrophy Australia shared via social media “accessibility inclusions in public settings is an indicator of a fair and just civil society.
“Thank you to Olympic Park and Get Skilled Access for recently organising an accessibility tour of John Cain Arena and gaining input from people with lived experience.”
More information on Get Skilled Access
Image. John Cain Arena Accessibility Tour 2024 Credit: Muscular Dystrophy Australia
19th July 2024 - Perth Zoo to enhance accessibility with new Changing Places facility
18th July 2024 - Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre to undergo major accessibility upgrade
17th July 2024 - City of Newcastle launches campaign championing sport accessibility
15th July 2024 - Australia’s first-ever accessibility supported houseboat launches in Mildura
11th July 2024 - New accessibility and inclusion plan launched for Melbourne and Geelong Convention Centres
21st May 2024 - Tourism Ministers launch national framework to help tourism businesses improve accessibility
15th May 2024 - Accessible and inclusive facilities feature in Ron Payne Park’s new sport clubhouse
7th February 2024 - New funding aims to improve accessibility at Victorian creative spaces
5th February 2024 - Hornsby Council unveils refurbished and more accessible Galston Aquatic Centre
6th January 2024 - Adelaide Festival Centre to receive $35 million upgrade to improve access and safety systems
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Click here to view our subscription options.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…
read moreTicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…
read moreEmail for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…
read moreINTRODUCTION Abel Sports is Australia’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of Goal Posts, sports ground safety netting systems and coaches boxes for Stadiums ,Sports Clubs, Councils and…
read moreAnti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…
read morePrincipal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…
read moreWe are Aussie Strength. The ultimate supplier for Commercial Gym Equipment that's built to deliver in the toughest environments. From USA-Built hardcore weight training equipment from Arsenal…
read moreHidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!