Celebrating our wins!
We value the diverse range of projects and partners we get to work with across the arts and culture, screen, government, and not-for-profit industries. We've shared some of the projects we've been involved in below.
Admit All:
Accessibility Standards for the Live Music Industry, 2025
Image Description: Two musicians on stage in front of a crowd on the left, and two tickets held in a hand on the right.
Objective
To design, develop and pilot national accessibility standards for live music venues and festivals in NSW, providing a tiered framework for positive and practical changes to increase access and inclusion for musicians, employees, and audiences. This initiative creates a step-by-step roadmap for venues and festivals to build their cultural competence and improve both online and on-site accessibility features. With a mix of quick wins and longer-term outcomes, these standards meet venues and festivals where they are at, inviting them to implement reasonable and realistic changes within their current resourcing and capacity, and consider stretch goals for the future.
This project was led by Accessible Arts (with Morwenna as lead consultant), with funding provided by Sound NSW.
This project was inspired by the work of UK based organisation Attitude Is Everything and Morwenna’s Churchill Fellowship from 2019. It builds on a range of advocacy and sector work Morwenna has conducted over the last 5 years. This includes a range of pilot programs she has led with Music NSW, Music Victoria and QMusic and over 70 live music venues across the East Coast, as well as a feasibility study into the development of national accessibility standards for the live music sector.
Approach
Extensive consultation with d/Deaf and disabled people
Close collaboration with industry leaders and an experienced Steering Committee
10 NSW venues and festivals selected to pilot the standards and undertake Disability Access & Inclusion training
Venues and festivals to review their accessibility using the standards
Each venue and festival will be supported to create a roadmap for improvements and a case study to share back their learnings
The Admit All Steering Committee includes representatives from the music industry and disability advocacy, and the initiative is funded by Sound NSW with support from Music NSW:
Dan Pash – deaf musician, academic and Admit All Project Manager
Eliza Hull – award-winning musician, writer and disability advocate
Dina Basille – award-winning advocate for accessibility in the music industry, Founder of Tibi Access
Julia Collins – Operations Manager, Fuzzy Events
Outcome
Chris O’Neill – APRA AMCOS
Joe Muller – CEO, MusicNSW
Stuart Rogers – Director of Programming, City Recital Hall
Bjorn Godwin – Manager, Knox St Bar
Liz Martin – CEO, Accessible Arts
The development of "Admit All: Accessibility Standards for the Live Music Industry" provides venues and festivals with a tangible and practical resource to improve accessibility and inclusion.
This initiative is expected to support music venues and festivals in making positive changes that benefit musicians, employees, and audiences with disability, contributing to a more inclusive live music sector. The framework addresses both online and on-site accessibility, signifying a holistic approach to access and inclusion.
“For so many music venues, festivals and businesses, the first barrier to improving accessibility and inclusion practices is born of a lack of knowledge and fear of going about things the “wrong way”. Admit All is a gamechanger in this regard.
It clearly outlines a roadmap to good practice, enabling organisations and businesses to undertake the positive journey towards a more inclusive and accessible music industry for artists, audiences and industry workers.”
Joe Muller, Managing Director, Music NSW
Arts Centre Melbourne
Disability, Equity and Inclusion Plan (DEIP), 2023-24
Arts Centre Melbourne
Image Description: The Arts Centre Melbourne Spire lit purple for International Day of People with Disability on 3 December – photo by Tom Blachford
Objective
Lead the consultation and implementation of Art Centre Melbourne’s Disability, Equity and Inclusion Plan, supporting diverse teams to develop actions that are practical and achievable across a four year period.
Approach
Co-design workshop with DEIP Working Group
Desktop research
15 hours of in-depth 1-1 and small group interviews
Staff focus group and drop-in sessions to feedback on barriers, gaps and ideas for the DEIP
Community survey to capture artists, audiences and other stakeholders feedback
2 community focus groups with d/Deaf and disabled artists, contractors and audiences
Co-developed a series of actions against 4 key outcome areas for Art Centre Melbourne’s DEIP 2024-27.
Outcome
Accessibility continues to be a key focus within Art Centre Melbourne’s work, from providing access services (Auslan, Audio Description, Captioning and Relaxed Performance) across a variety of events, showcasing d/Deaf and disabled artists work through Alter State and mainstream programming, and committing to building staff competence and confidence.
There is work underway to update systems and processes internally to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for all staff, contractors, artists and volunteers, and future focused access work being done with Reimaging Arts Centre Melbourne.
“I worked with Morwenna and Frances on Arts Centre Melbourne’s first comprehensive Disability, Equity & Inclusion Plan, and I was in safe hands throughout the process.
They mapped out the consultation process, led it with curiosity and respect, and collated the results into a wide set of action items that would answer our community’s needs.
They stretched us gently and I am so grateful for their guidance and support.”
Telia Nevile, Inclusion Coordinator, Arts Centre Melbourne
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Assistance Dog Change Management Project, 2023
Image Description: Morwenna on a site visit of Taronga Zoo with Assistance Dog Handlers and Jimmy the Giraffe
Objective
Develop and implement a new Assistance Dogs Policy and guidelines to reduce barriers and streamline the whole-of-journey experience for visitors to Taronga Zoo with their Assistance Dogs.
Approach
Established an Assistance Dogs Project Working Group
Review of current Assistance Dogs policy, guidelines and accessibility map
Walk-through of the Zoo with Assistance Dog handlers to seek feedback
Developed a report and refreshed guidelines
Designed and delivered Assistance Dog Training workshop for all staff
Outcome
Taronga has introduced a two-staged approach to implementing their new Assistance Dog Policy.
They have reduced the notice period to 48 hours and introduced an annual online form for visitors with Assistance Dogs. They have upgraded their facilities and improved their accessibility map.
Taronga is committed to continual improvement, and is exploring options to become a Guide Dog training site, which will further support staff learning and desensitization for wildlife in their care.
“Working with Morwenna has been transformative for Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga). Morwenna’s expertise, dedication, and guidance has been instrumental in helping Taronga navigate a complex project, with a unique set of challenges to ensure we provide our guests who require assistance dogs an experience that is safe, inclusive and accessible.”
Elio Bombonato, Manager Wildlife Operations, Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Perth Festival
Disability Inclusion Action Plan, 2019
Image Description: a crowd enjoying an outdoor performance, waving their hands in the air.
Objective
Develop Perth Festival's first Disability Action Plan (available here), including ideas for the future from the disability community.
Approach
Reviewed current systems/processes/programs
Undertook qualitative and quantitative consultation methods
Ensured feedback and ideas for the future were included from the disability community.
Outcome
Within the first year of this plan, Perth Festival established an external accessibility committee (consisting of community members, both disabled and allies) and a significant increase in the number of access bookings for the 2020 Festival.
"Morwenna is highly sought after as one of Australia's leaders in advocacy for access and inclusion. She is a brilliant facilitator and her approach to her work as a consultant in this field is always passionately & carefully tailored to whom she is working with. I cannot recommend her more highly."
Anna Reece, Artistic Director Perth Festival