The Sydney Royal Easter is an exciting, energetic and enthralling time for the city of Sydney. But with crowds, loud noises and bright lights- it can be an overwhelming sensory experience for some patrons. The RAS strives to ensure the show can be enjoyed by everyone, and that can only be achieved by offering an inclusive experience for all.
Em Ollis (they/them), is a Sydney student who has attended the Easter Show 3 times and spoke to me about their experience navigating the event with a hidden disability and the facilities in place to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. For Em, having the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s designated Quiet Room to recharge is a crucial element in providing an enjoyable time at the show, stating to me in an interview “Quiet spaces are so important because otherwise it’s unsafe. If I was out and about having a light sensitive seizure in public, it’s scary enough as it is, to then not have a safe space, or be able to communicate what you need, or if required have medical staff attend to me; means it’s simply unsafe. I won’t risk putting myself in that environment, meaning I would otherwise miss out.”
The Quiet Room provides a space for people who may need a calm and quiet environment, to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the Easter Show. The space is designed to ensure comfort and relaxation, helping people manage sensitivities, processing differences or other hidden disabilities. Featuring calm lighting, tactile items, visual elements, acoustic panelling, headphones, and soft bean bag chairs to help people refocus and recharge. It is located to the right of the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome and will be fully staffed and running during all opening hours and every day of the show.
Some other noticeably quieter areas found throughout the show include the:
- Arts & Crafts Pavilion- with space for taking a seat or viewing the gallery
- The Paddock -with wide open green spaces to stretch out in fresh air and nearby trees can provide shade
Additionally, the Sydney Royal Easter Show collaborates with Hidden Disabilities Australia and distributes sunflower lanyards to people with both hidden and physical disabilities. Em explained that these lanyards can be a helpful way to voluntarily communicate to those around you that you may require a little more assistance and support, as they explained to me “when wearing the sunflower, people will give a lot more grace and understanding, and are a lot more willing to check in and make sure I’m okay.”
These lanyards are completely free and available from the Information Booth at the show on Australia Avenue.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show and RAS continue to strive to create an environment where all patrons can fully enjoy and experience the show. For any further questions or additional information please contact the Accessibility Easter Show team at accessibility@eastershow.com.au
