The Museum Of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Sydney has launched a new program specifically aimed at making art more accessible for people with hidden disabilities.
On scheduled Sunday mornings throughout 2023, the MCA will offer additional support and accommodations for visitors with hidden disabilities, or anyone who might benefit from a quieter and calmer art experience.
Visitors on Sunflower Sundays wearing a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard will be offered priority support (and if you don’t have yours yet, they will be available for free at the MCA by prior arrangement). These lanyards indicate to the staff, who have been specially trained, that visitors may need extra space, time, or guidance during their visit to the museum.
There will be a dedicated Sunflower Sundays information station on Level 2, as well as a dedicated quiet area. Noise-reducing headphones and tactile resources will be available for use throughout your visit, and you can prepare ahead of time with a brilliant sensory map and visual story available on the MCA website.
Best of all: MCA is going the extra mile and guaranteeing no P.A. announcements (except in the case of emergencies) and reduced volume on staff communication radios. This is a small adjustment that will make a big difference for anyone with noise sensitivity.
Sunflower Sundays are free, and no booking is required, but if you’d like to contact the MCA about your access needs ahead of time, they welcome you to do so. The schedule of forthcoming dates and contact information is available on their website.
