Access Services 2024
For information on Companion Cards, National Relay Service, Experience Filters or access feedback, please visit the 2024 Access page.
Access Services Request
This year, RISING is offering several access services for different program items. Some program items have access already included. For other items, we are asking you to contact us with your Access Services Request. If you want to attend an event, please contact us by email or phone to let us know when you want to attend.
We have listed all of the services available per show on this Access Services Request page with proposed dates and sessions for you to review. The request form is open until Fri 26 April.
Based on your responses, we will confirm the final date and session times. We will contact you with details of when they are happening via a phone call or email with a direct booking link.
Quick jump to the service you’re looking for using the hyperlinks:
Access Packs, including Sensory Maps, Social Stories
Venue Access Information, including Wheelchair Access, Assisted Access, Traveller’s Aide
ASSISTED LISTENING AND HEARING LOOPS
This symbol indicates an event venue has a hearing loops or assistive listening system available to assist you if you are hard of hearing. These systems transmit sound from the event directly through your hearing aid or through venue-provided headphones. We have added information on hearing loops and captioning on venue pages. We recommend you contact the venue directly for specific information on or assistance with listening services.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Audio description (AD) is the auditory narration of visual aspects of live events, theatre performances, exhibitions, tours and media such as film and video. AD is prepared and delivered by qualified audio describers. Provided during gaps in dialogue, AD is a tool that enhances access to people who are blind or have low vision and can benefit people with Autism, multisensory or learning disabilities.
PROPOSED EVENTS AND SERVICES
Counting and Cracking | Tue 4 June, 6.30pm and Wed 22 June, 1pm
FOOD | Sun 2 June, 1pm
Email access@rising.melbourne or call 03 9662 4242 to express your interest for this service.
TACTILE TOURS
Tactile tours are available to people who are blind or have low vision to equitably access and enjoy arts and cultural events in theatres, galleries, museums and public spaces and can benefit people with Autism, multisensory or learning disabilities, and are offered at a time during the exhibition or event period, or prior to a performance.
With a trained describer guide attendees can journey through different physical spaces to understand dimension, layout and scale, interact with different objects to feel shape, texture and weight and have the opportunity to meet with different artists or people discussing and sharing their work.
PROPOSED EVENTS AND SERVICES
Anito | Sat 8 June, 2pm
Counting and Cracking | Tue 4 June, 6.30pm and Wed 22 June, 1pm
FOOD | Sun 2 June, 1pm
ONE SINGLE ACTION | Sat 15 June, 2pm
You, Beauty | Sat 8 June, 2.30pm
Email access@rising.melbourne or call 03 9662 4242 to express your interest for this service.
AUSLAN INTERPRETATION
RISING is providing Auslan Interpreted tours and Interpreted sessions for specific events across the festival program. Look for the Auslan symbol displayed on the event page and check the Access information section for details.
PROPOSED EVENTS AND SERVICES
8/8/8 : REST | Sun 9 June, 9pm—5am
Cadela Força Trilogy | Fri 14 June, 8pm
Crip Rave Theory | Sat 15 June, 4—11pm
FOOD | Sat 8 June, 2pm
Gurr Era Op | Thu 15 June, 7.30pm
You, Beauty | Fri 14 June, 5pm and 6.30pm
Email access@rising.melbourne or call 03 9662 4242 to express your interest for this service.
Quiet or low sensory spaces
Quiet spaces are intended to be used as a de-stressing, recovery space for sensory overwhelm. They will have a low light impact, be comfortable, away from the public, and not a social space. They can be used by anyone who needs them.
EVENTS AND PROPOSED SERVICES
Crip Rave Theory | Sat 15 June, 4—11pm
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
Open to everyone, these RISING sessions have been specifically designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for people who feel they might benefit from a more relaxed environment. These can be ideal for Autistic folks, and neurodivergent folks in general. But also those living with anxiety and depression, who have highly emotionally demanding work who want a lower sensory impact performance, or those who feel alienated by the standard audience expectations.
EVENTS AND PROPOSED SERVICES
Gurr Era Op | Sun 16 June, 5pm
Email access@rising.melbourne or call 03 9662 4242 to express your interest for this service.
Access Packs
Closer to the festival, RISING will make downloadable access packs for all RISING events. These packs will include:
Dates, times, location and event details
Detailed content warnings and technical effects
Venue access information
Access services information
Social story for non-traditional venue spaces and events eg. Day Tripper at Melbourne Town Hall
Sensory Maps for exhibitions and special events
Show information: synopsis, performers
Contact us
What is a sensory map?
A sensory map is a simple way to identify areas of events where there are potentially overwhelming sensory experiences—loud, smelly, bright, crowded—and where to find quieter, calmer areas. RISING will provide sensory maps for several RISING events closer to the festival.
What is a social story? RISING will provide short descriptions of a particular situations and events, which explain what to expect in that situation and why.
Venue Access
Our aim is to make sure you have all the information you need to enjoy RISING and that you feel welcome whether you use a mobility aid or cane, assistance animal, or you are bringing a companion.
We also recommend visiting ptv.vic.gov.au for the most up-to-date information on accessible transport to your event of choice.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
All RISING venues are wheelchair accessible. Where the wheelchair symbol can be found on an event page, then the venue has indicated to RISING that they are wheelchair accessible. Look out for the symbol on the event pages.
ASSISTED ACCESS
This symbol indicates assistance from a Companion is necessary for wheelchair users to navigate the space. Please see the Access Information section of the event page and Venue pages for Assisted Access details for that venue and contact our customer service team to arrange a free companion assistance ticket along with your booking.
Venues where access conditions are more challenging, such as at older or heritage listed buildings, can be identified by the symbol for Assisted Access as described below. If you have access needs or hold a Companion Card and want to book a ticket for your Companion, contact our Customer Service team on 03 9662 4242 or via ticketing@rising.melbourne.
TRAVELLERS AID
If you require access support for travelling to any of our venues, please contact Travelers Aide and they will help you organise your transportation. All costs will need to be covered by the patron.
ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS
Venues with a wheelchair accessible icon have an accessible bathroom, if a venue has no icon the space may not have an accessible bathroom or may not be accessible for another reason. In all cases we recommend you read the detailed venue access information for each venue.
Venue Pages Access Information
Each event page links to its respective venue page under the main details at the top of the listing. On venue pages you will find the following details:
Direct venue contact details
Nearby accessible parking options
Nearby accessible drop-off points
The closest wheelchair-accessible tram and train stops
The approximate distance covered by a participant to complete the experience
The location of accessible entrances and bathrooms
Hearing augmentation available in the venue
Intra-site transport options available within the venue
RISING has a number of video guides to and from venues across Melbourne. You can view them all on Youtube.