Victorian Convention and Event Trust (VCET) has taken a big step towards inclusivity by appointing four individuals living with disabilities to its newly launched Accessibility Advisory committee.
The operators of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and soon-to-open Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre selected the committee members following an open expression of interest process.
Each committee member brings unique expertise to the table, including Briar Harte, who is a specialist in inclusive design and a former winner of the Disability Inclusion Changemaker of the Year award.
Joining her is Nikhil Bora, co-founder of SignHow, a startup that developed the first community-driven sign language dictionary; Jess Price, the force behind business consultancy Paradigm Makers; and Alex Stratikis, founder of Autism Adventures Abroad.
“At MCEC and Nyaal Banyul, we aim to create spaces where people of all abilities can connect, discover and enjoy,” said Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien, who joined the committee members for their inaugural meeting earlier this month.
“By actively engaging people with lived experience, we hope to ensure our facilities and services are truly inclusive.
“The Accessibility Advisory Committee members bring a wealth of knowledge, personal and professional experience to the table and I look forward to the progress we can make together.”
The announcement has seen VCET become the first convention centre operator in Australia to enlist a permanent external advisory committee dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive experiences for customers, visitors and employees.
Nyaal Banyul will be based on Universal Design Principles to ensure accessibility and inclusivity across the board and is set to open in mid-2026.
Features will include a Changing Place facility, sensory rooms, fully accessible seating, augmented hearing assistance and high-contrast wayfinding.
Changing Places are facilities for people with high support needs who are unable to use standard accessible toilets. These are often larger than standard accessible bathrooms and have features that suit both people with disabilities and their careers.
Last year, MCEC underwent significant changes to increase its accessibility, including the opening of a Changing Place facility, and its customer service team undertook Hidden Disabilities training to support visitors with diverse needs. It also achieved Limited Mobility Accessible Tourism Accreditation.
