Event Accessibility
As a world-class festival of LGBTQIA+ arts and culture, we are wholeheartedly undertaking the work of making our festival and events as inclusive and accessible as possible. Sydney WorldPride as an organisation and festival is committed to access and inclusion for everyone who wants to celebrate pride with us.
We recognise our responsibility to shape our events and festival with access and inclusion at the forefront and to work to reduce barriers so that full participation by all people is possible. We have worked with expert consultants, community organisations and community members to create a Disability Inclusion Access Plan (DIAP) that will help us guide our work and make sure that we are creating our events with this work at the forefront.
Download a copy of the Sydney World Pride Disability Inclusion Action Plan as a PDF or Word document below.
To find out about the accessible viewing area at the Mardi Gras Parade, click here to go to the Parade Accessible Viewing Area page.
For information about transport options for the Mardi Gras Parade, click here to go to our Parade Transport page.
FAQs
We are currently exploring options for over-the-phone language interpreting services for Australian and non-Australian residents. We will update this FAQ as soon as this has been confirmed.
Yes, most of our Official Events will have Auslan interpreting available. Please visit the individual event pages for specific information. DJ and Pop-Up performances will generally not have Auslan interpreters.
Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are currently exploring this with our venue partners, in particularly for our Official Events. DJ and Pop-Up performances will generally not have hearing loops or audio augmentation support, unless otherwise stated.
The Sydney WorldPride Human Right’s Conference will have hearing loops available. Please refer to each event page closer to the date for specific details on audio/hearing loop or augmentation support.
The following events will have live captions available on the main screens at the event:
- Live & Proud: Sydney WorldPride 2023 Opening Concert
- Rainbow Republic
- Human Rights Conference (main theatre and breakout spaces)
Downloadable transcripts will be available shortly after the Human Rights Conference.
Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are currently exploring this. For questions about Easy English documents, please contact [email protected] or contact our Accessibility Manager via SMS/text at 0469 850 928 (within Australia) or +61 469 850 928 (outside Australia).
Yes,most of our Official Events are wheelchair-friendly, with accessible bathrooms. The exceptions being Paradiso Pool Party and Kaftana Pool Party at ivy pool.
Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras understand the importance of accessible drop-off points and will endeavour to make our events easily accessible for all. Please refer to each event page closer to the date for specific details on drop-off points. If you have specific requirements, please email [email protected] or contact our Accessibility Manager via SMS/text 0469 850 928 (within Australia) or +61 469 850 928 (outside Australia).
Yes, at most of our Official Events, a clearly marked Information booth will be located near the entrance. If there is not a designated assistance area or booth, any of our Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras volunteers or staff members will be more than happy to assist you. They will be clearly identified wearing staff branded t-shirts.
At all Official Events, there will be facilities (e.g. water bowls and access to relief/toilet areas) available for any official therapy/support, Guide or seeing eye dogs. There will also be Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras volunteers and staff members who be more than happy to help you with wayfinding and direct you to where you may need to go.
Yes, at all Official Events, Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras volunteers or staff members will be more than happy to assist you.
Yes, there will be various events in the Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which may have flashing lights, flicking lights and/or strobe lighting. Please refer to each event page closer to the date for specific details. DJ and Pop-Up performances will likely have flashing flickering or strobe lighting, unless otherwise stated. Please be aware of the likelihood of these features at such events.
Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are working hard to ensure that our events are an enjoyable experience for all. Please refer to each event page closer to the date for specific details on sensory/quiet/rest areas.
Most of our Official Events will adopt a Sunflower Lanyard Program to assist those with hidden or non-obvious disabilities. If you require assistance and need to sign up to this program, please email [email protected] or contact our Accessibility Manager via SMS/text at 0469 850 928 (within Australia) or +61 469 850 928 (outside Australia).
For more information about the Sunflower Lanyard Program, click here.
Gig Buddies may be able to attend some of the Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events. Please contact them directly ([email protected] or www.GigBuddiesSydney.org.au) to explore whether they can support and arrange for you to have Gig Buddy attend with you.
Yes, Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras support the Companion Card program. You can access your complimentary companion card ticket through official ticketing providers. Head to each event page to access ticketing information and send a request/enquiry to create an accessible Companion Card booking.
Sydney of City has an Access and Inclusion Map which helps let you know information like locations of taxi ranks, mobility parking spaces, public toilets, accessible public toilets, train stations, stairs and the slope, surface condition and cross slope of footpaths for some routes throughout popular spots around Sydney CBD. To access the Access and Inclusion map, click here.
A support worker with an official Companion Card will receive a complimentary ticket. A support worker without an official Companion Card will need to purchase a public ticket at its advertised price. A lower ticket price is offered to people without a Companion Card accompanying a person using the wheelchair accessible or Auslan seating at the Live & Proud: Sydney WorldPride Concert and Blak & Deadly: First Nations Gala Concert ticket.
Yes, Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras encourages you to explore using your NDIS plan to fund your attendance at events as a Social and Community Participation, upskilling or Capacity Building activity. A support worker may also be funded by your NDIS plan to assist in your attendance. Temporary accessible accommodation may also be funded by your NDIS fund. If you are Self or Plan Managed, enquire with your plan manager/support coordinator as to whether you can use your funds towards attending Sydney WorldPride or Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events.
Yes, Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras want to ensure as many people as possible can attend our events to enjoy and engage with our festival. We have two special Programs available where people can apply for discounted tickets.
To address affordability challenges, Sydney WorldPride has created the Affordability program for people who are not able to afford a full-priced tickets, providing an opportunity to access tickets for $49 each*.
To create opportunities and accessibility for Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander communities to attend Sydney WorldPride events and increase their participation in the festival, Sydney WorldPride has created the MobTix program.
Head to the program pages below for more information on who is eligible and how to apply:
Sydney WorldPride and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are currently exploring this. If you would like more information on accessing printed guides in print, online or braille materials, please contact [email protected].
At Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride, we want to ensure that people with disability, the d/Deaf community and those that have any specific access needs can have a great time! Do you have access needs that have not been included in the FAQ? If so, please email us at [email protected] or contact our Accessibility Manager, Akii Ngo ( ideally via SMS/text) at 0469 850 928 (within Australia) or +61 469 850 928 (outside Australia).
If you are in Australia, you can use the National Relay Service to call if you are d/Deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone. First call 1800 555 677 and then ask for 0469 850 928.
