The Purple Hands Sensory Room, made possible by uLaunch – powered by AKG, is now a permanent and quiet space, for individuals with sensory needs to access during AFL home games.
This is particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions such as autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing disorders.
The room was designed in consultation with the Autism Association of Western Australia and the Purple Hands Foundation and is located near aisle 149 at Optus Stadium and is available to all event patrons free of charge.
It features soft lighting, private booths, cosy bean bags, noise-cancelling headphones, activities that engage the senses and a soundless TV that allows guests to follow the event.
Optus Stadium asks that you register below so they can manage room numbers (however walk-ins are also welcomed).
Purple Hands Foundation and uLaunch – powered by AKG also offer take-to-seat sensory bags for adults and children that have sensory needs at all Fremantle Dockers home games.
The bags are available to use throughout the game and assist in making footy accessible and enjoyable for all.
Sensory bags are located at 101 Oh What Fun (section 101). Please ensure to bring a form of ID to exchange for a bag.
FAQ's
Who is the room for?
Where is the room located?
How to register for the room
What to expect
Ticketing information
Who is the room for?
The room is for people who have sensory needs.
The room is open to children and adults, individuals with disabilities will be prioritised.
The room will have a staff member present at all times, however, no person under the age of 18 is to be left without a parent/guardian.
Where is the room located?
The room is located just off the main Level 1 concourse next to aisle 148/149.
The room is accessed by walking down the corridor facing away from the oval, between the toilets and the refreshments outlet. The room will be signposted from the concourse.
We understand that this location may not be close to where your seating is located. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the location prior to the start of that game.
If purchasing general admission tickets, we suggest you take into account the location of the Sensory Room before booking tickets.
To find out more about the Optus Stadium facilities, please click here
How to register for the room
Registration is not mandatory, however, on event day preference will be given to those who book ahead of time. Please note that registrations do not provide exclusive use of the room as it is a shared space.
Register via the Optus Stadium website below.
What to expect
We understand that experiencing a live AFL game is more than just watching football.
There are many steps to take before you get to your seats at the game. These steps can bring new challenges and experiences in themselves and can be overwhelming to navigate.
The Autism Association of Western Australia has created this social story to help understand what you will see, feel and hear before and during your experience at the AFL game.
More information and resources can be found at The Autism Association of WA Website: https://www.autism.org.au/creating-inclusive-communities/
Ticketing information
Registering for the Sensory Room does not provide the room user or any accompanying parent/guardian with a ticket to the football game. Please ensure you have a valid admission ticket for the game you are attending.
Tickets can be purchased either via general admission or with a membership package. We encourage you to purchase your ticket in advance of attending the game to ensure ticket allocation.
- For more information on how to become a Member please click here
- Or to purchase general admission tickets please click here
- For accessible seating please contact the membership team at the Fremantle Dockers. All contact information can be found here
- For additional information regarding Optus Stadium, public transport and accessible access please click here
