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Relaxed Hours Trial

The Australian Sports Museum's Relaxed Hours Trial is an opportunity for people with sensory sensitivities to visit the Museum with their friends or family in a reduced sensory environment.  During Relaxed Hours, the museum will operate for two hours with reduced sound and lighting, with limited visitor numbers to reduce crowding.  Date: Saturday November 16, 2024 Time: 9:00am-11:00am Location: Inside Gate 3, Melbourne Cricket Ground

Features of the Relaxed Hours will include:

• A supportive environment with trained staff and volunteers, including consultants from Autism Spectrum Australia

• Limited number of visitors to reduce crowding and noise

• Lighting and sound will be adjusted for a low sensory experience

• A Sensory Friendly Space for anyone who requires a rest or to recharge

• The Paddock Café will be open for food and drinks (no cash accepted)

• Recognition of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

After 11am, visitors can remain in the museum however lights and sounds will be restored when the public enters.

Australian Sports Museum

Melbourne Cricket Ground,  Gate 3

East Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9657 8879

Vickie & Vinnie Relaxed Performance and Accessible

Vickie and Vinnie is a play about the struggles of being a neurodivergent person within the film industry. It examines the relationship between the audience and neurodiverse people and coded characters in sitcoms through the lense of a comedy. 10 - 21 Sep

107 Redfern St

Redfern

+61 422 218 160

Sensory Friendly Evening

This evening includes a relaxed evening exploration of our exhibition Everybody Had a Name. Suitable for visitors with ASD, sensory sensitivities or anyone who would benefit from a quieter and less busy setting.  On this evening you will be able to:

• View our permanent exhibition Everybody Had a Name with reduced visitor numbers.

• View our permanent exhibition Everybody Had a Name adjusted volume and lighting.

• Access a social story with more details on what to expect (made available prior to your visit).

• Utilise an enhanced map with information on low, medium and high sensory areas of the exhibition.

• Access designated quiet area for those needing to take a break.

• Speak with friendly, supportive staff on your passion for history.

This event is for those ages 16+.

Melbourne Holocaust Museum

13 Selwyn Street

Elsternwick

Phone: (03) 9528 1985

Wilbur The Optical Whale (Relaxed Performance & Sensory Friendly)

29 - 30 September

A fully immersive, interactive and accessible children’s production about friendship and celebrating difference. Based on the book by Karen Lee Roberts, Wilbur the Optical Whale is an enchanting story set under the sea where children are taken on an immersive journey to engage with the environment around them.  Wilbur and Cecil are the best of friends. One day while playing hide and seaweed, they are set upon by the Starfish Meanie Gang! How do they get out of this one? Join Wilbur and Cecil to help them on their quest!  Using alternative storytelling methods including interactive media with integrated Auslan, circus, music, movement and spoken word, this heartwarming production delivers a strong anti-bullying message and promotes acceptance. This multiple award-winning show is a delight for the whole family. 

Wilbur the Optical Whale is accessible to all audiences. Performances feature integrated Auslan and headphones are available for audience members to engage on their own terms. The set also includes a quiet space as part of relaxed performance mode for those who require it.  Wilbur the Optical Whale is a collaboration with Flipside Circus. https://sydneyfringe.com/events/wilbur-the-optical-whale

The Sydney Fringe Festival, Fringe Kids

ARA Darling Quarter Theatre

1-25 Harbour Street

Sydney 2000 (Gadigal Country)

(02) 7813 4527

Just Macbeth! (abridged) Special Relaxed Performance

What do you get when you combine Shakespeare, Andy Griffiths, garden gnomes, daggers, Wizz Fizz and brussels sprouts? 'Just Macbeth! (abridged)' of course!  Journey to medieval Scotland for this perfect introduction to Shakespeare for young people. 'Just Macbeth! (abridged)' is a really silly version of Shakespeare’s great big gory tragedy starring Andy, Danny and Lisa from Andy Griffiths’ Just! series, packed into a pocket-sized play. Exploring the story of Macbeth through the eyes of Andy Griffiths’ much loved characters, this hilarious and irreverent take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy will have the whole family in stitches. 

'Just Macbeth! (abridged)' is aimed at kids ages 8 – 12. Following the show, kids can also participate in post-show activities based on the play. Come visit our stunning new venue in the heritage listed Pier 2/3 and enjoy some school holiday family fun!  On Thursday 5 October at 10am we will be holding a special relaxed performance. Modifications will be made to the show to be more sensory-friendly and there will be a dedicated chill out zone just by the theatre for those that might need it.  Each performance runs for one hour, and is followed by a further hour of free activities at the venue.  Tickets: Adults: $36.00 | Children: $18.00

Bell Shakespeare

1/13a Hickson Road

Dawes Point NSW 2000

Phone: 1300305730

Sensory Friendly Sunday Mornings

We're turning the sound down and creating a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere that welcome people living with sensory processing difficulties to experience the wonder of Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Ocean Predators and the rest of the museum.

Our Sensory Friendly Sessions create a supportive environment where people of all ages can spend quiet time, wander at their own pace, and engage in conversation with museum staff.  Please note that this ticket provides you one time access to the Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Ocean Predators exhibition and a separate admission ticket does not need to be purchased. A ticket is not required for access to the North Queensland galleries.

Museum of Tropical Queensland

70 - 102 Flinders St,

Townsville City 4810 QLD

+61 (07) 4726 0600

Sensory Santa

From their newsletter: "Guess who's coming to a shopping centre near you....that's right Sensory Santa! Sensory Santa Sessions start on Saturday 17th November." Follow the link to register! 

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Various Locations - Check Website

Relaxed Performances

From the theatre: "We offer at least one Relaxed Performance during every school holiday season. Relaxed performances welcome children with disability, and sensory and learning challenges to the theatre. We leave the house lights on (dimmed), the auditorium doors stay open, and a chill out area is available in the foyer throughout the show. The atmosphere is non-judgemental and we embrace noisy enthusiasm. Tickets are $19 for adults and children. For Relaxed Performance dates and times, please visit the individual show page." Monkey Baa also offers social stories for their performances, and other special needs accessibility assistance. 

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Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre Terrace 3

1-25 Harbour St

Sydney NSW 2000 

Box Office - 02 8624 9340

Access Taronga days and additional autism friendly services

Special access days, VIP badges, online tickets sales to avoid the queue, and social stories are just a few of the offerings from the Taronga Zoo to help provide a more autism friendly zoo experience.

 

Taronga Zoo

Bradleys Head Rd

Mosman NSW 2088 

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Guest Experience Team - 02 9969 2777

Sensory Events

Sensory Souls was originally started by a mom with autistic twins who wanted to be able to take them to the movies. From this started the sensory friendly movie days which then grew into a Sensory Sensitive Santa event, bowling trips, surfing school, farm days, and pool trips, just to name a few.

 

Please see the link for a list of their upcoming events that are put on in collaboration with other venues and services. 

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Accessibility and Accommodations

The museum offers socials stories, a map of high and low sensory experiences, quiet times and the opportunity to buy tickets ahead of time so as to avoid lines. 

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Melbourne Museum

11 Nicholson St

Carlton VIC 3053

13 11 02

(03) 8341 7777

Sensory Movie Day

From their website: "Event Cinemas are proud to bring sensory friendly films to families living with autism and other sensory needs at select locations. Held monthly on a Sunday, sensory friendly screenings allow families to enjoy their favourite films in a safe and accepting environment where kids are free to get up, move around, shout or sing." 

 

Please see the website for the participating locations.