AusLeisure

Sydney Showground and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS of NSW) have announced the launch of an exciting venue upgrade with the opening of a new sensory room, adult assisted change room and updated parent room to enhance comfort, accessibility, and inclusivity for all visitors attending events at its venue.

Located on Grand Parade, the facilities will be available for select Sydney Showground events including the Big Bash League which kick-starts this Saturday; Green Day - The Saviors Tour happening in March; and the RAS’ hallmark agricultural event, the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April. 

In addition to this important milestone, Sydney Showground and the RAS have also partnered with Hidden Disabilities to reinforce their commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all patrons attending the venue. 

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities and provides a discreet way for individuals to signal that they may need extra time, support, or understanding in public spaces. 

Sydney Showground General Manager, Darryl Jeffrey notes “Sydney Showground and the RAS are delighted to launch these new facilities just in time for the Big Bash season and to continue our journey in making events held at Sydney Showground more inclusive for our community.

“As a venue we want patrons to feel confident when attending events at Sydney Showground and having easy access to the facilities you need while enjoying a great day out with family and friends is an important part of this.”  

Quiet Room: The Sydney Showground Quiet Room provides a sensory-friendly space for individuals who may need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of events. Designed to help patrons manage sensory sensitivity, the room features calm lighting, acoustic panelling to reduce noise, and tactile and visual elements to help patrons desensitise. 

Sensory bags will also be available for patrons to collect at the sensory room for designated Sydney Showground events. Bags include headphones/earmuffs and fidget toys to help manage sensory overload.

To ensure the RAS and Sydney Showground are providing the best service for all visitors, the organisation has worked with ASPECT Australia to train key customer service staff. 

Parent’s Room: Sydney Showground’s new Parents Room is a light and bright space equipped with essential amenities to cater to the needs of parents and young children. The space includes both a family toilet room and separate accessible toilet facilities, nursing spaces with privacy curtains, multiple change tables, and a family relaxation space with kitchenette facilities.   

Adult Assisted Change Room: The Adult Assisted Change Room is designed to cater to individuals with disabilities, offering a safe and hygienic environment equipped with the necessary facilities to support their needs. The room includes a fully electric hoist and height-adjustable adult change table.

Use of the room requires a NSW issued MLAK key and approved harness and a trained carer/helper must be present at all times. 

The RAS thank staff at the ground-breaking Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice, who provided invaluable insight to help guide the development of the space, ensuring events at the venue can be enjoyed by everyone. 

To see which events will have these facilities open and staffed, visit the event page on the Sydney Showground website or visit the Hidden Disabilities interactive map for events where the Quiet Room will be activated.  

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