Accessibility

Tour for visitors with low or no vision featuring Corupira 2023 Henrique Oliveira, commissioned for ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Brisbane 2023-24 / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: C Callistemon ©QAGOMA / View full image

QAGOMA's Access programs aim to create lasting connections between visitors with disability, their communities and art. We offer customised programs and tours for visitors with disability, enabling them to experience and learn about art, to explore culture, artist practice and artworks from Australia and around the world.

'Thank you for always providing such intimate and inclusive experiences for everyone, with such kindness and care.' Visitor attending Art and Dementia program

To create meaningful experiences for visitors with disability, QAGOMA’s Access programs endeavour to support inclusive and accessible museum approaches including tactile and sensory engagement and narrated descriptions within enabling environments.

Inclusive tours and accessible programs facilitated by QAGOMA Learning are available for visitors with neurodegenerative disease, the d/Deaf community, visitors with hearing loss, people with low and no vision, and audiences with sensory sensitivity and other disability.

Information for your visit

Onsite Access & Parking

Mobility impaired and wheelchair access is available to both the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

Accessible parking bays are located in the Cultural Centre car parks. More information

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available free of charge for use during a visit. To make a booking, contact the Information Desk between 10.00am and 5.00pm on +61 (0)7 3840 7303. Bookings are subject to availability.

Assisted Hearing

A hearing loop system is installed in the Australian Cinémathèque at GOMA. Headphones or neck loops are available for visitors with cochlear implants or hearing aids. Enquire at the GOMA Information Desk on arrival.

Companion Cards

Companion Card holders receive concession priced tickets to all paid exhibitions and selected programs, and a complimentary ticket for their companion. Complimentary tickets for companions must be collected at the Gallery.

Sensory Kits

Sensory Kits are available for use free of charge whilst in the Gallery. Each kit contains a number of resources for self-regulation and calming. Please speak to a Gallery and Visitor Services Officer upon arrival to collect a Sensory Kit.

Hidden Disability Sunflower

QAGOMA supports the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program. Visitors can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard as a discreet way to show that they have a non-visible disability. Please speak to a Gallery and Visitor Services Officer upon arrival to collect a free Sunflower lanyard or pin.

Assistance Dogs

Guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcome at QAGOMA.

Art and Dementia

QAGOMA’s award-winning Art and Dementia Program is a participant-focused gallery experience designed for visitors living with dementia and their care partner. It aims to support psychosocial wellbeing using non-pharmacological intervention approaches.

Slow art viewing of selected artworks incorporates specially curated visual, auditory and narrative prompts that stimulate exploration and reflection. The therapeutic creative making activity invites relaxation and socialisation, supports autonomy, and encourages meaningful engagement.

The program is suitable for all visitors who are diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease, including specific dates for people living with younger onset dementia. Check the What's On Events Calendar for dates*.

*Subject to availability and program capacity.

Art and Dementia Information Flyer

Group Bookings Office

Supporters

Tour for visitors with hearing loss featuring Oh see dobol used 1994, REAMILLO, Alwin, Purchased 1995. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation
at the Queensland Art Gallery / Photograph: C Callistemon ©QAGOMA — Tour for visitors with hearing loss featuring *Oh see dobol used* 1994, REAMILLO, Alwin, Purchased 1995. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation
at the Queensland Art Gallery / Photograph: C Callistemon ©QAGOMA / View full image

Access Tours & Events

QAGOMA offers customised programs and events that give visitors with disability the opportunity to connect with art in a safe and supported setting. Our Group Bookings Office can help plan a visit and explain how we tailor an experience specific to your needs or for those in your care. Volunteer guided tours for visitors with disability are available between February and November and are free unless otherwise advertised.

To acknowledge awareness in the community, QAGOMA's annual September Access Month offers additional programs for visitors with disability. Please check What's On Event Calendar for dates.

For all Access programs, contact the Group Bookings Office Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.00pm.

A minimum of 15 days’ booking notice is required to arrange a tour.

Group Bookings Office

Auslan Interpreted

Free volunteer guided tours for members of the d/Deaf community are scheduled on the last Sunday of the month from January to November. A NAATI accredited Auslan interpreter accompanies our guide on these tours. For information about the next tour, check the events calendar.

Hearing Loss

Visitors with a cochlear implant, hearing aid or hearing loss are invited to join a small group tour led by a volunteer guide. Assistive listening devices (FM system) are available and tours are scheduled on the fourth Friday of the month between January and November. Capacity is limited and bookings are essential. Check the events calendar for information about the next tour.

Low Sensory

On selected days throughout the year, Autistic visitors and people with sensory sensitivity or disability are invited to experience the gallery in a relaxed environment, and where possible, outside of usual gallery hours. These events are generally scheduled to coincide with major exhibitions or community awareness days. Volumes within the Gallery are lowered or turned off where possible. High sensory areas are signposted and quiet zones are available. An information sheet with sensory floorplan is developed to assist with planning a visit.

The next low sensory viewing is planned for Saturday 18 January 2025. GOMA will be open from 8.30am to 10.00am for a quieter viewing experience. Children's Art Centre projects, free and interactive, will also be open.

To assist with pre-planning, view the Asia Pacific Triennial sensory floor plan:

Asia Pacific Triennial sensory floor plan

This information may assist with general visits to QAGOMA:

Information for visitors with sensory sensitivity

Sensory kits are available for use whilst in the Gallery and contain a number of resources for self-regulation including earmuffs, fidget toys and emotion cards. Please speak to a Gallery and Visitor Services Officer upon arrival to collect a sensory kit.

Low Vision or No Vision

Audio-described tours offer a narrated description of the visual elements of selected artworks. A tactile experience is also included where possible. Check the What's On Event Calendar for information about the next tour.

Across QAG and GOMA, a selection of recorded audio descriptions for the Asia Pacific Triennial are available online and onsite via QR code. These include artworks by Varunika Saraf, Katsuko Ishigaki, Joel Geolamen, Yeung Tong Lung and Dulguun Baatarsukh.

Audio Description Guide

In the Children's Art Centre at GOMA, a written audio description of Yim Maline's sculpture and drawing is available, as well as Braille and large print guides.

Physical and/or Cognitive impairment

Tours are suited to small groups and tailored to the needs of group members. Bookings are available on weekdays (excluding public holidays), between February and November. A minimum of 15 days’ booking notice is required and tours are subject to availability.

A visitor collecting a Sunflower lanyard at QAG / Photograph: N Numek ©QAGOMA / View full image

Supporting people with disability

To support visitors with non-visible disabilities, QAGOMA is a member of the international Hidden Disability Sunflower Program. Hidden disabilities can be difficult for others to recognise, which is often the biggest barrier for people accessing additional support and understanding.

The Hidden Disability Sunflower is a simple tool for visitors to voluntarily share that they have a non–visible disability or condition that is not immediately apparent. Anyone with a hidden disability or their carer or support person can collect and wear a Sunflower lanyard at QAGOMA. We encourage visitors who need assistance to look out for our trained staff wearing a Sunflower Supporter pin. Sunflower lanyards and pins are available free to visitors from the information desks.

For more information, please visit Hidden Disability Sunflower.

QAGOMA’s membership of the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program is generously supported by Alida Rae Mayze.

QAGOMA YouTube

Experiencing the Collection / David Medalla, The Philippines/UK b.1942 / Cloud canyons No.25 1963/2015 / Plexiglass tubing, motor pumps, alloy, water, detergent / Purchased 2014. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © David Medalla — Experiencing the Collection / David Medalla, The Philippines/UK b.1942 / *Cloud canyons No.25* 1963/2015 / Plexiglass tubing, motor pumps, alloy, water, detergent / Purchased 2014. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © David Medalla / View full image

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