South Australia welcomes first accessible music festival

Hosted by KYD-X and Lifetime Support, the all ages, outdoor music festival Sound & Vibes will be enjoyed by all at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Saturday 1 December.

Justice Crew, DJ Josh, Nick Finn, J Milla, DJ DFoe, Rudely Interrupted, The Incredibles and Some Brown DJ will take the stage, with plenty of other activities on offer, including a chill out zone, silent disco, photo booths, ferris wheel, adult jumping castle, obstacle alley, market bazaar, face painter and crazy hair and tattoos.

Organising Committee Chairperson of Sound & Vibes, Karren Kelly says the event was brought to life after she saw a video of a UK music festival for people with disability.

“I have a 19 year old son with autism and an intellectual disability,” she explains.

He loves music and as a mum, I wanted him to have an experience that I had growing up, going to a music festival.”

“I thought if they can do it, so can we.”

Mrs Kelly reached out to Ben Waechter, founder of KYD-X, an Adelaide-based not-for-profit youth disability organisation, who was “super excited to be a part of creating such a unique event.”

The Sound & Vibes committee, driven by a team of dedicated parents hope the festival will be enjoyed by people who are once again able to attend such an event, or experiencing a music festival for the first time.

“For my son it gives him the opportunity to experience a music festival in an environment that allows him, if need be, to get away from the action for a while,” Mrs Kelly says.

“It means he doesn’t have to leave the event, as there is a quiet place for him to regroup before joining back in the fun with his friends.”

This is thanks to the event’s accessibility features, including an elevated viewing platform, ground level food vendors, Auslan interpreters, high-visibility signage, Guide and assistance dog friendly areas and accessible pathways.

Mrs Kelly says the ultimate goal is to ensure all music festivals and community events are made accessible.

“Often events do not cater for people living with a disability and access can often be denied through circumstances such as the event being on grass. It’s bloody hard pushing a wheelchair around on grass and then when you add rubbish on the ground it is near impossible.”

“We don’t want this to turn out to be a ‘one day a year’ event for people living with a disability. We hope that other venues, festivals and all event organisers see how easy it is to make their events accessible for all.”

Sound & Vibes follows Australia’s first inclusive and accessible music festival, Ability Fest held in Melbourne earlier this year.

Tickets for Sound & Vibes are currently on sale and organisers are hoping to spread the word to ensure a successful event.

“It’s going to be an awesome event and we want more people to find out about it so they too can attend.”

The event is sponsored by the following organisations; Lifetime Support Authority, Anglicare SA, Cara, Comrec, Flight Centre, BankSA, Lighthouse Disability, Link, SACare, WRP Legal & Advisory, Redstar Media, Northern Carers Network, Adelaide Expo Hire, Orana, National Pharmacies, Community Living Options, Escapades, Hessel Group, Lizard Culture, The Lotus Project, Industrial and Constructive Scaffolding, NRF Finance Solutions, Minlaton Cabin and Caravan Park, Nextt, theraPETics, Zambrero, Hendercare and the Government of South Australia.

For more information and to get tickets click here.