61656

Ability Fest will return to Melbourne in 2023 for its fourth year featuring more than 50 Australian bands and DJs, including performers with disabilities.

The one-day music festival provides elevated platforms, accessible pathways and ramps, Auslan interpreters, dedicated quiet zones, disability inclusive training delivered to staff and volunteers and companion card ticketing.

The first Ability Fest was held in April 2018 at Coburg Velodrome, attracting 5,000 attendees and growing to 6,500 in April 2019. Following a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2020, Ability Fest drew crowds of 5,000 to its most recent home at Alexandra Gardens in November 2021.

Ability Fest draws crowds in their thousands to celebrate live music, promote diversity and inclusion and raise money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation to empower young people with disabilities to achieve their ambitions.

2022 Australian of the Year and Ability Fest founder Dylan Alcott notes “Ability Fest is proudly Australia’s most accessible music festival, and this investment will make our state the accessible music capital of the world.

“Ability Fest Supports talented local artists and the work of the Dylan Alcott Foundation, empowering young people with disabilities to realise their ambitions across sports, education and employment.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula adds “Ability Fest is a unique event that Melbourne – Australia’s home of live music and major events – embraces each year and that’s why we’re supporting it.

“The event sets the standard for inclusion and supports hundreds of local jobs, many of which are filled by people with a disability.”

More details on the 2023 event, including the date, venue and line-up, will be announced later this year.

Images: Ability Fest at Alexandra Gardens in November 2021 

Related Articles

18th May 2022 - New inclusive facilities to benefit Penrith Cricket Club and Penrith Junior Cricket Association

16th April 2022 - IAKS to stage first Australasian event to explain the creation of inclusive facilities

16th January 2022 - Zoos Victoria recognised for disability inclusiveness

3rd December 2021 - City of Gold Coast rolls out inclusive initiatives at its beaches

2nd August 2021 - Works commence on Darwin’s Jingili Water Gardens inclusive playground

19th July 2021 - Australia Zoo opens new inclusive Changing Places facility

13th July 2021 - Shoalhaven’s upgraded Howell Faulks Park opens with new inclusive picnic and play area

29th April 2021 - Monash Council project aims to make public space more inclusive for play, recreation and sport

3rd December 2020 - Golf Australia adds inclusive events to its national schedule

6th August 2020 - Cairns Regional Council purchases beach wheelchairs and mobi mats for inclusive access

3rd February 2020 - Pride Festival highlights Auckland Council’s support for an inclusive future

29th October 2019 - Success of inclusive program celebrated at Fawkner Lawn Bowls

23rd October 2019 - NSW Government delivers $4 million package for inclusive play

15th August 2019 - New initiative set to create a more inclusive Arts Sector

4th April 2019 - GMHBA Stadium becomes Australia’s first Sensory Inclusive Stadium

---

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.