The Library is committed to improving access and inclusion for the one in five Australians – and more than one million Victorians – with a disability.
Patrons are welcome to provide feedback on accessibility by speaking to a staff member or through the Library’s online feedback form.
Indicates Access Support Workers are available.
Designed for people with physical impairments and as a safe space for everyone who uses the bathroom.
Indicates facilities for assistance animals. Can include seating, water, grass area or that the animal can be left with staff.
Assistive listening systems (augmented hearing, or hearing loop) are installed in many venues and are used to amplify or enhance sound quality via hearing aids, headsets or other devices. They include infrared, loop and FM systems. Portable systems may be available from the same audiovisual equipment suppliers that service conferences and meetings.
Audio description enhances live performance, film and visual art for people who are Blind or have low vision. Using a small radio receiver, the person receives a spoken description of visual elements by an audio describer.
Using the Sign Language Interpreting symbol tells Deaf Australian Sign Language (Auslan) users that Auslan interpreting is provided for a performance, film, guided exhibitions tour, forum, workshop or event. Interpreting makes sure Deaf Auslan users can engage with the performance or event using their first language.
This symbol can be used to indicate access for people who are blind or have low vision, including: a guided tour, a path to a nature trail or a scent garden in a park; and a touch/tactile tour or a museum exhibition that may be touched.
Braille indicates that written materials are available in Braille. This could include labelling, marketing, publications and signage at the venue.
Indicates that the provider is a Companion Card Affiliate. The Companion Card is issued to people with disability who require lifelong attendant care support, to enable participation at events, activities and venues without incurring the price of a second ticket for their companion. www.companioncard.gov.au
Closed captioning can be activated or deactivated by the viewer.
Indicates Easy Read is available. Easy Read documents have short, simple sentences with pictures.
Guide dogs assist people who are blind or vision impaired. This symbol also refers to assistance animal.
Large Print is printed in 18 point or larger text. As well as indicating that large print versions of books, pamphlets, museum guides and theatre programs are available, you can use the symbol on conference or membership forms to indicate that print materials can be provided in large print. Sans serif with good contrast is highly recommended as well as following clear print guidelines for readability.
Open captioning is always in view, and cannot be turned off.
A space to facilitate the calming or alerting of senses as needed. Quiet spaces are used to avoid or recover from sensory overload or to provide sensory input to meet a sensory need (e.g. tactile, auditory or visual stimulation). Also known as a chill out area or zone.
Indicates that only registered assistance dogs are welcome. This symbol also refers to Guide dogs.
Relaxed performances, screenings or events are designed to reduce anxiety and create a supportive atmosphere for people with autism spectrum conditions, learning disability and other sensory and communication disorders. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement among the audience and some small changes made to the light and sound effects. Audience members can enter and exit the venue throughout the show.
Using both words and pictures, a visual story introduces people on what to expect during an outing to the theatre, cinema or other activities. They should be short, factual, offer positive options to help with fears about triggers such as loud sounds, tell the story briefly, and share any big surprises.
May have music or sounds in the background, or may be partly open captioned or scripts and descriptions are given to the audience before the event on request.
Fully open captioned providing access to spoken word but no background music or sounds.
No music or dialogue or all dialogue is open captioned.
Indicates access for people with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. For example, the symbol is used to indicate an accessible entrance, bathroom or that a phone is lowered for wheelchair users. Remember that a ramped entrance is not complete access if there are no curb cuts, and an elevator is not accessible if it can only be reached via steps.
