Understanding Autism Workshops
Overview
Join award winning autism advocate and consultant Bryce Pace as his dynamic, one of a kind, ‘Understanding Autism’ workshops return to Ballarat.
Through these workshops you will have the opportunity to explore the topics of Autism, Neurodiversity and learn how you can make your business and community more autism friendly.
These workshops are one of a kind as each session is uniquely catered toward what each participant would like to gain from attending. Whether it be to better understand autism and neurodiversity or to learn more about some of the accommodations your business can make to cater for the autism community.
We will be there to support you wherever you are on your accessibility journey.
Whether you are a business owner, tourism operator, DES provider or community member, these workshops are not to be missed.
Tickets are on sale now, limited spots available!
Exclusive Early Bird Offer!
The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 12th of February)
discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order
Workshops
Understanding Autism in Tourism
Every year Ballarat attracts thousands of diverse visitors from around the world who enjoy the beautiful parks, accomodation and experiences on offer. It is important to understand though that Tourism may not be accessible for everyone in the same way.
Did you know that 90% of Australians with a disability have a non-visible disability such as autism?
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn about autism, neurodiversity, and ways you can make your tourism business or event more accessible for Autistic individuals.
Learn about
Autism & Neurodiversity
The barriers faced by autistic tourists
Accessibility resources available to Tourism Businesses
Cost
$70 +booking fees
Exclusive Early Bird Offer!
The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 12th of February)
discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order
Sessions
Wed 12th March: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Understanding Autism in Employment
Did you know that autistic Australians experience unemployment at a rate that is almost 6 times higher than Australians without disability?
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn about autism, neurodiversity, and ways you can make the employment process more accessible for autistic job seekers.
Learn about
Autism & Neurodiversity.
The barriers faced by autistic jobseekers
Inclusive and accessible employment practices
Accessibility resources for inclusive employers
Cost
$70 +booking fees
Exclusive Early Bird Offer!
The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 12th of February)
discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order
Sessions
Wed 12th March: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Understanding Autism in the Community
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn about autism, neurodiversity, and how you can support autistics in your community and at community events. This workshop is ideal for community organisations, support workers or anyone who would like to learn more about autism.
Learn About
Autism & Neurodiversity
Barriers faced by autistics in the community
Accessibility resources
Cost
$70 +booking fees
Sessions
Wed 12th March: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Payment Methods
We are excited to offer various payment methods through our ticketing partner Humanitix to cater to everyone’s budget, including:
Card
Afterpay and Zip Pay so that you can pay in instalments
Invoice for those who need one for NDIS or work.
Please note we are not an NDIS registered provider so please check with your plan manager for eligibility.
All you need to do is choose your preferred payment method at checkout. Full refunds are available up until 7 days prior to the event.
Venue
Ballarat Central Library
178 Doveton St N, Ballarat
We are excited to host these workshops at Ballarat Central Library located in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD which can be accessed by:
Car
There is parking available in the surrounding streets and also multiple car parks located throughout Ballarat’s CBD.
Bus
The closest bus stops are located on Doveton St N/Midland Highway and can be accessed by routes 12 and 30. (Plan Trip)
Train
The Ballarat Library is located 500 metres from Ballarat Train Station.
Presented By
Bryce Pace
He/Him
Bryce is an award winning autism advocate who is passionate about creating a world that accepts, Includes and embraces human diversity. Bryce was diagnosed with autism at the age of 8 and in 2022 publicly came out as bisexual in his blog post on Autism & Sexuality published on his business’ website.
In 2016 Bryce founded his autism consultancy business Bryce Pace - Autism advocate with the goal of changing the stigma that surrounds the autism spectrum. Since then Bryce has had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of organisations including Dylan Alcott’s Consultancy organisation, Get Skilled Access. Through his involvement with these organisations he has facilitated workshops around autism and disability access, performed environmental audits and represented the autism community on panels at conferences. He has also participated in focus groups throughout Australia contributing to the creation of a world that is accessible to all.
FAQs
What makes these workshops unique?
These workshops provide attendees with the opportunity to learn more about autism and how they could better accommodate autistics in the community. These workshops also provide the opportunity to ask questions about autism and accessibility in a safe non-judgemental environment from someone with lived experience.
Who would benefit from attending?
We invite anyone who would like to learn a little more about autism, neurodiversity and the accommodations that can be made to cater for autistics. This includes:
Members of the wider community
Neurodivergent Individuals
Community Organisations
City Councils
Business Owners
Tourism Operators
Event Organisers
Employers
Employment Agencies
Disability Employment Support Providers (DES)
Disability Services
Support Workers
Do I need prior knowledge of autism to attend?
No, everyone is welcome to attend no matter your level of understanding of autism. Whether you have just heard about autism for the first time or you have lived experience of autism or neurodiversity yourself. We are here to assist you wherever you are on your accessibility journey.
At the commencement of each workshop we ask participants about their level of knowledge and if there is anything in particular they would like to learn. We then tailor the session around these answers ensuring everyone can walk away with something they can utilise and that is applicable to them.
Do I need to attend both days?
No. Both days feature the same workshops at different times to cater for people’s schedules. You only need to attend the workshops you are interested in.
Do I need to attend the whole day?
No, you only need to attend the workshops you have registered for.
How much do the workshops cost?
Each workshop has a cost of $70 per person plus the booking fee. A Certificate of Attendance is available to professionals who require one for an additional $10
Can I use my NDIS plan to attend?
If you or a family member has a self-managed or plan managed plan you may be eligible to use your NDIS funding to attend. Please check with you support coordinator or plan manager to confirm.
What if I can’t attend?
If you find you can no longer attend you can:
Apply for a refund
You can apply for a full refund anytime before the 5th of March 2025. To apply for a refund use the “manage order” button in your order confirmation email sent to you at the time of registration. Once you reach the manage order page on the Humanitix site head to the refund/cancel tab and follow the prompts to issue a refund. If you have any questions or need any assistance with this process feel free to reach out via the below details.
Resell Ticket
If you can’t attend however March 5th has passed or you would like to give your ticket to someone else you can resell your ticket through our ticketing partner Humanitix at no additional cost to you. To resell your ticket use the “manage order” button in your order confirmation email sent to you at time of registration. Once you reach the manage order page on the Humanitix Site head to the Ticket Resale tab and follow the prompts. If you have any questions or need any assistance with this process feel free to reach out via the below details.
Can someone attend in my place?
If you can no longer attend or feel someone else would benefit more from attending you are welcome to transfer your ticket, however ask that you update the ticket details. To do this use the “manage order” button in your order confirmation email sent at time of registration. This will take you to the manage order page on the Humanitix website where you can update all the order details including name, email and accessibility requirements. If you have any questions or need any assistance with this process feel free to reach out via the below details.
Further Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this event feel free to reach out to us between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday via the below methods:
Webchat: Click the chat icon on the bottom right corner of the screen and follow the prompts.
Email: contactus@brycepaceautismadvocate.com
Phone: 0447 619 496
Accessibility
We have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure this event can be enjoyed by all and am pleased to announce that this event eill include:
Companion Registration
We are excited to be able to offer free registration to eligible companion card holders. If you would like access to this ticket all you need to do is add a companion ticket add-on at registration. Please note you need to purchase at least one full-priced ticket to be eligible and show your eligible companion card at the door.
Hidden Disability Sunflower
We proudly support the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program and encourage anyone with a sunflower lanyard, wristband or pin to wear them to the event. Wearing a sunflower product lets us know that someone has a non-visible disability such as autism and may need some additional support or time. You can learn more about the program and where to find Sunflower Products by heading to: https://hdsunflower.com/au/
Sensory Information
These workshops are designed to be a sensory friendly experience. and will include:
Fidgets tools
There will be a variety of fidget tools available to use throughout your session.
Audio/Visual
There will be a quick 2 minute video that will be played during the Understanding Autism in Employment Workshops, however, no other session will use any videos or sound system.
Quiet Space
Unfortunately, we were unable to organise a sensory room or quiet space at this event however, as the workshops are being held in a public library we are confident that there will be plenty of spaces you can go to if you feel overwhelmed.
Social Story
We are thrilled to offer a social story for this event which which will be available to download from the below button soon. Social Stories are documents that use story telling techniques along with simple language and pictures to describe new experiences and environments to neurodivergent individuals. You can learn more about social stories and see some examples by attending any of our Understanding Autism Workshops.
Wheelchair Access
We are thrilled to let you know that the venue is wheelchair accessible and the space we will be using can be accessed via a lift. If you are a wheelchair user please let us know when you register so we can ensure we can accommodate you and remove any potential obstacles.
Accessible Parking
There are two accessible parking spaces located in the library car park on Doveton Street North and another 3 located on Market Street.
Accessible Bathroom
There are accessible all gender bathrooms located on each floor of the building, we will let you know where the closest one is located on the day.
Changing Places
There is a changing place located on the ground floor of the Library opposite the accessible bathroom. Please note you do need an MLAK key to access the changing place.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding this event’s accessibility, feel free to contact us by :
Webchat: click the chat icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen
Email: contactus@brycepaceautismadvocate.com
Phone: 0447 619 496