New accessibility and inclusion plan launched for Melbourne and Geelong Convention Centres

July 11, 2024

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust (MCET) has launched new accessibility and inclusion plan for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and the soon-to-open Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

The plan focuses on four key goals - improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities; improving access to goods, services and facilities at MCEC and Nyaal Banyul; collaborating with event organisers to ensure everyone can meaningfully participate and engage in events; and changing discriminatory attitudes, behaviours and practices.

As operators of both venues, the MCET) has already made significant progress towards accessibility and inclusion across both venues.

MCEC has a range of accessible features available to support visitors with mobility needs, vision impairment and assisted hearing. MCEC’s new website launched last year was designed with inclusivity in mind, providing information about accessible features as well as virtual tours of the venue. Over the next three years, MCET has committed to further enhancing accessibility at the venue.

Nyaal Banyul set to open on the Geelong waterfront in 2026, MCET is working closely with the Victorian Government and the consortium led by Plenary Conventions to ensure the venue is designed with accessible gathering spaces for all who visit.

In addition, the Positive Impact Guide was launched last year to provide event organisers with tangible resources to embed corporate social responsibility into their events.

Introducing the new plan, MCET Chief Executive, Natalie O’Brien stated “as leaders in the events industry, it’s our duty to set the standard for accessibility and inclusion.

“We’re proud to release our latest Accessibility Action Plan, affirming our commitments to providing welcoming spaces for everyone that visits our venues.”

Committed to providing safe spaces to connect and engage, MCET’s new website, launched last year, was designed with inclusivity in mind, complying to WCAG 2.0 Level AA Accessibility Guidelines, and providing information about accessible features as well as virtual tours of the venue, allowing visitors to easily explore, navigate and plan their visit.

In addition, the Positive Impact Guide was launched last year to provide event organisers with tangible resources to embed corporate social responsibility into their events. The guide includes information on accommodations that can be made to support attendees, as well as partnerships with leading disability service providers, Travellers Aid and Alkira.

MCET’s Accessibility Action Plan was developed with input from people with lived experience along with expertise from accessibility consultants in the tourism industry. This included support from the City of Melbourne Business Capacity Program.

Image credit: MCET.

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