People standing in the shape of an eye with the state of queensland as the pupil

Accessible Tourism Enabler

An initiative of Braille House supported by the Queensland State Government's Accessible Tourism Enabler Grant.

Braille House has engaged in a collaborative process amongst stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive package of resources, ultimately to enable people who are blind or have low vision to function more independently and with equity and dignity in the tourism and visitor setting. 

Assess your Organisation's Performance

Case Study 3 - Suncorp Stadium

Suncorp Stadium logo

Suncorp Stadium provides Brisbane and south-east Queensland with a state-of-the-art, 52,500-seat, multi-purpose venue in Milton. The stadium prioritises accessibility for patrons with disabilities.

Summary

The stadium engaged in the following self-assessment audits:

  • Whole of Venue Self-Assessment Audit Checklist
  • Tourist of Event Destination Self-Assessment Audit Checklist

Findings

Meeting the Standard

No adjustments required:

  1. Accessible seating
  2. Accessible doorways and stairways
  3. Strong lighting

The following facilities meet accessibility standards for blind and low vision visitors:

Photograph of tactile Braille embossing on signage
Tactile braille embossing on signage
Photograph of braille embossing on signage
Braille embossing on signage
Photograph of further signage with Braille
Further signage with braille
Photo of signage with braille
Signage with braille
Photograph of TGSI’s on entry stairs
TGSIs on entry stairs
Photograph of handrails and some colour contrast on entry stairs
Handrails and some colour contrast on entry stairs
Photograph of internal ramp with handrails (and twin rails to support cane detection) and TGSIs, plus colour contrast between pole, walls and steps with surrounds
Internal ramp with handrails, cane-detection twin rails and contrasting colours
Photograph of Level 3 concourse is well lit during event days
Level 3 concourse is well lit during event days
Photograph of Tactile indicators (inc. Braille) internal lift buttons
Tactile indicators (inc. braille) internal lift buttons
Photograph of tactile (inc. Braille) lift buttons
Tactile (inc. braille) lift buttons
Photograph of Stairs equiped with handrails and TGSIs, plus colour contrast on step treads
Stairs equiped with handrails and TGSIs, plus colour contrast on step treads

Opportunities for Improvement

Planned Amendments (Pending)

  1. Training
  2. Website (accessible)
  3. Visitor information
  4. Drinking fountains
  5. Tour guides

Minor Adjustments Needed

  1. Drinking fountains
  2. Wayfinding signage

Medium-Term Adjustments

These adjustments do not require renovations:

  1. Additional lighting on stairs 
  2. Audible elevator messages
  3. Elevator lighting levels
  4. Signage colour review

Longer-Term Adjustments

Adjustments to occur during future renovations:

  1. Seating in pick up areas
  2. Door handles
  3. Vision panels
  4. Column colours
  5. Height of directional signage

The examples below showcase areas for improvement.

Note: images were not taken on event days.

Photograph of Entry area. Lack of Braille or tactile signage. No colour contrast between pole and surrounds. Table is blocking walkway.
Entry area. Lack of braille or tactile signage. No colour contrast between pole and surrounds. Table is blocking walkway.
Photograph of Seat access. No Braille or tactile directional signage. Although there is good colour contrast on the signage.
Seat access. No braille or tactile directional signage. Good colour contrast on the signage.
Photograph of Stairs leading to which have no Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI)
Stairs leading to which have no Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs)
Photograph of Stairs leading to seats would benefit from a repaint of the colour contrast. No TGSIs.
Stairs leading to seats would benefit from a repaint of the colour contrast. No TGSIs.
Photograph of Walkway with no Braille or tactile directional signage, although what is provided is large with good colour contrast.
Walkway without braille or tactile directional signage. Provided signage is large with good colour contrast.
Photograph of Braille signage outside lift which is very extensive, however due to the amount of information and the formatting of the sign, is not height friendly for hands to read Braille
Braille signage outside lift. Due to the amount of information and the formatting of the sign, is not height friendly for hands to read braille
Photograph of Drinking fountain along walkway juts out from wall
Drinking fountain along walkway juts out from wall
Photograph of For drinking fountain although colour contrast is present. There is no tactile (inc. Braille) signage.
Insufficient colour contrast between wall and drinking foundation. Lack of tactile (inc. braille) signage.
Photograph of Congregation area showing there is no tactile (inc. Braille) signage and pole in heavy traffic area has no colour contrast. NB Image not taken on an event day.
Congregation area lacks tactile (inc. braille) signage. Pole in heavy traffic area has no colour contrast. Image not taken on an event day.
Photograph of
Congregation area without tactile (inc. braille) signage. Image not taken on an event day.

Outcomes

Suncorp Stadium plans to implement adjustments based on the findings, focusing on pending and minor adjustments. They aim to enhance accessibility by providing:

  • Large print/braille “twin vision” menus
  • Braille signage proofreading
  • Tactile QR code indicators

Suncorp Stadium is collaborating with Braille House for assistance in producing these resources and for Human Guide Training for staff.

Key Learnings

  1. Broader understanding of the needs of the visually impaired.
  2. Expanding stadium facilities and services to meet these needs.
  3. Quantifying areas for improvement and prioritising enhancements.

Thank you to the Suncorp Stadium team for this participation, feedback and valuable insights, and CONGRATULATIONS on your commitment to cater for accessibility and inclusion for guests who are blind or have low vision.

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