Understanding Autism

Workshops

19th of September 2025

Overview

Join award winning autism advocate and access consultant Bryce Pace as his dynamic, one of a kind, Understanding Autism Workshops return to Melbourne.

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 from someone with lived experience.

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 seats available!

Exclusive Early Bird Offer!

The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 19th of August)

discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order

Workshops

Understanding Autism in Tourism

Every year Melbourne attracts thousands of diverse visitors from around the world who enjoy our beautiful parks, sporting events 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.

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to Neurodiversity

  • Introduction to Autism  

  • Sensory Overload, Meltdowns and Shut Downs and how to support individuals experiencing these                                

  • common barriers faced by autistic tourists in accessing tourist attractions, accommodation and events

  • Accomodations your business can make to be more autism friendly.

  • Introduction to sensory and quiet rooms that can accommodate diverse ages and access requirments

Cost

$70 + booking fees

Exclusive Early Bird Offer!

The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 19th of August)

discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order

Sessions

Fri 19th of September: 10:30 AM - 12 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.

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to Neurodiversity

  • Introduction to Autism  

  • Sensory Overload, Meltdowns and Shut Downs and how to support individuals experiencing these                                

  • common barriers faced by autistic Job seekers

  • Accomodations your business can offer to make the employment process and workplace more accessible.

  • Introduction to sensory and quiet rooms that can accommodate diverse ages and access requirments

Cost

$70 + booking fees

Exclusive Early Bird Offer!

The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 19th of August)

discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order

Sessions

Fri 19th of September: 1 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.

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to Neurodiversity

  • Introduction to Autism  

  • Sensory Overload, Meltdowns and Shut Downs and how to support individuals experiencing these                                

  • Common barriers faced by autistics in the community

  • Available access accommodations and resources.

  • Introduction to sensory and quiet rooms that can accommodate diverse ages and access requirements

Cost

$70 + booking fees

Exclusive Early Bird Offer!

The first 10 registraions automatically receive a 15% discount. (offer only valid until 19th of August)

discount applies to a maximum of 2 tickets per order

Sessions

Fri 19th of September: 3:30 AM - 5 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.

Street view of R.E. Ross House, an urban building with large green-framed windows, featuring pedestrians walking by.

Venue

Ross House

247/251 Flinders Ln, Melbourne

We are excited to host these workshops at Ross House located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. You can access the venue by:

Car

There is parking available in the surrounding streets and also multiple car parks located throughout Melbourn’s CBD.

Tram

The closest Tram stops are located on Flinders ST, Swantson ST, Collins ST and Elizabeth ST

Train

Ross House is located 250 metres from Flinders Street Station

Presented By

Smiling person in a dark suit jacket and white shirt, wearing a colorful infinity pin, against a gray background.

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 $50 per person. 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.

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

A group of people sitting around a table at an event, focusing on accessibility. Overlay text includes "Event Accessibility" and logos for "Hidden Disabilities Sunflower," "Disability Symbol," "Companion Card," and "Autism Advocate."

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 will 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/

Social Story

We are currently looking into the possibility of creating a social story for this event. Keep an eye on this page and our socials for any updates about this.

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.

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 Bathrooms

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.

Accessible Parking

There are 3 Accessible parking spaces located close to the venue. Two are located right outside the building on Flinders Lane and a third is about 20 metres further up on the corner of Royston 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