Spring has almost sprung, and with it comes the return of show season! Here at the KompleteCare offices, we couldn’t be more excited, but as a parent or carer of someone with a disability or mobility issues, often more information is needed to plan a fun and accessible day.
Last year, we dove into how the Royal Adelaide Show is accessible, but now that we’ve got clients in the South Australian Riverland and Perth, we’re giving you the whole rundown on the accessibility of all your local shows! We’ve also included printable accessibility guides so you have all the information you need at your fingertips!
Royal Adelaide Show – Saturday 2nd – Sunday 10th of September
The Royal Adelaide Show’s website has an enormous amount of information regarding accessibility at this year’s show. On the Accessibility page of the website, you can find locations for all accessible and additional needs bathrooms across the event. All venue areas are fully accessible with ramps and lifts, and wheelchair viewing platforms have been situated in both the Public Grandstand and Members Grandstand areas and the Vili’s Dog Pavilion. There is also generous space for wheelchair users to enjoy entertainment on the Goyder Stage and Boulevard Stage.
There are disability car parking options available located in the Adelaide Showground car park on Rose Terrace and Leader Street but bear in mind they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s also worth noting that parking isn’t cheap. Sitting at $28 per car daily, parking alone will set you back almost as much as an entry ticket. Free entry is granted to people holding a Companion Card if accompanying a person with a disability.
The Sacare Carers Lounge will be available again this year, with a specialised accessible bathroom facility. It has a height-adjustable change table and hoist and a separate accessible toilet. It includes all the modern conveniences for both the carer and the person with a disability to tend to their personal needs in a hygienic and comfortable setting.
The Royal Adelaide Show also has a fidget toy show bag available to purchase, featuring a range of fidgets and sensory toys for kids and adults of all abilities to enjoy.
For more information on accessibility at the Royal Adelaide Show, visit the Accessibility page on their website.
Perth Royal Show – Saturday 23rd – Saturday 30th September
The Perth Royal Show has also provided a fantastic amount of accessibility information and states that they are committed to making all events hosted at the Claremont Showgrounds safe, inclusive and enjoyable for all.
Like the Royal Adelaide Show, The Perth Royal Show provides extensive information on accessible parking and accessible toilet facilities on their website and information on mobility equipment hire.
They have gone the extra mile and have created a Sensory Space that provides a reduced stimulation environment that gives people a space to calm, relax, re-organise and refocus before heading back into the Show. They also provide a 1-hour Quiet Session on Tuesday, the 26th of September, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. During this time, the Community stage will not have any performances and show vendors have been instructed to reduce noise at their sites. This provides tremendous support to parents, families, and people with disabilities such as processing disorders and autism.
The Perth Royal Show also provides Hidden Disability Lanyards at the information booth for Showgoers with a disability that may not be physical or visible. Regarding show bags on offer, they have a ‘Squishy Delight’ bag perfect for sensory seekers of all ages. It is packed with little squishy toys that can be squeezed and squished for calming and regulating deep pressure input.
For more information on accessibility at the Perth Royal Show, visit the Accessibility section on the Show Info page on their website.
Click here to open and download the full KompleteCare Accessibility Guide for the Perth Royal Show!
Riverland Field Days – Friday 15th – Saturday 16th September
The Riverland Field Days in Barmera differs slightly from your regular show, but it’s worth a visit! Their diverse range of exhibitors and activities catering to various interests and needs sets them apart from the pack. With two full days of experiences and entertainment (including cooking shows, wildlife zoos, wood chopping exhibitions, kids’ corner and children’s safari), you’ll never run out of things to do and see here!
Their website doesn’t have a dedicated accessibility page, so KompleteCare has done some digging to provide all the accessibility information you need! The first thing you’ll need to plan your accessible trip to the Field Days is the site maps. On it, you’ll find everything you need, including locations of disability parking, accessible bathrooms and amenities, and information booths. You can find the site maps on their website here.
Looking at the site map, the Riverland Field Days has a great amount of accessible parking at the venue. Accessible parking can be found at each public entry gate to the venue. Accessible toilets are also clearly labelled on the site map. You can find accessible toilets to the right of public gate 1 as you enter, next to the exhibition pavilion. You can also find accessible toilets located next to the function pavilion.
All areas of the venue and pavilions are flat, so there is no dedicated wheelchair access or platforms, but it may be worth noting that most of the venue is grassed areas. This may cause difficulty for those who are wheelchair-bound or using a mobility scooter, especially if it has rained in the past few days. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather in the days leading up to the Field Days to plan your best visit!
Another great thing about the Riverland Field Days is that we’ll be there, too! The KompleteCare team will be available to provide all the information you need for in-home and community disability and aged care services. For more details, read our Riverland Field Days Introduction Article!
If you need more specific accessibility information, you can contact the event’s Executive Manager, Emma Gwiada, via email at admin@riverlandfielddays.com.au. More information is set to come in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on their website for more information, too!
The Murray Bridge Show – Friday 22nd September – Saturday 23rd September
The Murray Bridge Show is one of the most exciting events in the Murraylands region! With two full days of excitement in store, the Murray Bridge Show is committed to promoting inclusivity at their highly regarded community event. Their website is still under construction in preparation for the show, so we contacted them to answer all of your accessibility questions!
The venue is situated on relatively even terrain with no stairs, promoting accessibility for all. Seating has been increased to accommodate for those needing frequent rest stops during their visit to the show. The new layout for this year provides easy access with wide walkways inside the trade and exhibition halls, outside amongst trade vendors, and within the large open food court area. The Show Stage is raised to enable clear visibility from the ground, and roving entertainers ensure all visitors can engage in the fun!
Disabled parking can be accessed easily via gate 2 of the venue, and there are accessible bathroom facilities located both inside and outside. This year also sees the introduction of a sensory hour on Saturday, the 23rd of September, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., perfect for parents, families, and people with disabilities such as processing disorders and autism.
You might wonder why KompleteCare is writing about the Murray Bridge Show when our primary service locations are Adelaide, Riverland SA and Perth. Just between us, we might have some news coming regarding Murray Bridge very soon, so keep an eye on our social media!
