Ability Fest is returning to Melbourne on 11 April, 2026, with a new focus on industrial venue accessibility at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne.
The event marks a shift for the festival, which has transitioned to a warehouse setting to demonstrate that inclusive design can be applied to any environment, including those typically used for world-class electronic music acts.
The Victorian Government has provided 650,000 dollars in support through the Community Support Fund and the Transport Accident Commission to ensure the event remains a blueprint for the global music industry.
The one-day, all-electronic festival is designed to be accessible at every level.
Attendees will have access to elevated viewing platforms, quiet zones, and dedicated sensory areas. Communication accessibility is integrated throughout the site via Auslan interpreters and live captioning for performances.
To further support attendees with specific needs, the festival provides a designated assistance dog area and offers free companion tickets for carers. These features are part of a broader effort to prove that large-scale events can be both high-quality and entirely inclusive.
Beyond the music, the festival offers various interactive experiences. These include a tactile sensory silent disco sponsored by the TAC and a wheelchair basketball half-court where attendees can participate in come-and-try sessions.
There is also custom merchandise available and a chance for festival-goers to win a car.
Since its inception in 2018, the not-for-profit event has focused on helping young Australians living with disability overcome social and physical barriers to fulfill their potential.
Tickets for the event are currently available through the official Ability Fest webpage. By attending, supporters contribute to an initiative that has raised significant funds for the Dylan Alcott Foundation.
The festival continues to challenge the broader music industry to think bigger about what inclusive events look like and how they can be executed in diverse spaces.
