Name: Spoonful
Start: 2026-12-12T12:00:00+1100
End: 2026-12-12T16:00:00+1100
Location: Ashfield Civic Centre (Activity Rooms)

Question 1

Accessibility - Is Spoonful accessible?

Accepted Answer

Duh! It's Inclusive Festival!Yes. We are committed to making this event as accessible and inclusive as possible.All event protocols will attempt to align with Inner West Council’s Accessible Events Checklist and accessibility standards.All promotional materials will include detailed accessible information and relevant access symbols.Event documentation will be provided in accessible formats where required.The venue is accessible.A hearing loop will be available on request.A dedicated sensory space and quiet area is available to all patrons, located in Activity Room 1.An Auslan interpreter will be available on request.Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) free software will be available on requestAudio &amp; Written description of event will be provided where required.Spoonful is 100% wheelchair accessible.Please contact the Spoonful organisers or Inner West Council (community@innerwest.nsw.gov.au) if you have specific questions or access requirements.

Question 2

Accessibility - Do you have a quiet / sensory room?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have a sensory room with One adult-sized black sensory tent.Weighted blankets.Cushions.Bean bags.Plush toys.Headphones/earmuffs.Fidget toys.Low/Stimulus Relaxing Visuals on a screenWe may have calming music

Question 3

Accessibility - Is this a COVID safe event?

Accepted Answer

Yes ! We will attempt to have safe distancing between patrons and facilitators.

Spoonful will provide hand sanitiser and masks to those who require, or want them.

It’s not “just a flu or cold”.

We please request for people to stay home when sick or have been in contact with others who are sick, even if you're a-symptomatic

Question 4

Accessibility - What is a Neuro-Affirming space?

Accepted Answer

Spoonful will attempt to facilitate a neuro-affirming space, where everyone is welcome. If you require a different style of communication, let us know.

If you require things to be written down, sounded out, or needing something to be re-explained, or repeated let us know.

Question 5

Accessibility - Alt Text for this Page

Accepted Answer

A vibrant, scanned lino print event poster, digitally coloured using the colours of the Disability Pride flag, against a pink background. The word ‘Spoonful’ appears diagonally across the centre in large, bold, black lettering. A large black spoon is scooping up playful, colourful illustrations of everyday objects, including a yellow tin can, a red animal-shaped paperclip, a red apple, a green battery, a blue fish and white pearl-like shapes. The date “12 December 2026” appears at the top, with “Supported by Inner West” displayed underneath the event title. The overall aesthetic is playful, quirky, colourful and collage-inspired, with a handmade printmaking feel.

Question 6

The Event - Do I have to register to attend Spoonful 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all attendees have to register before attending.

Question 7

The Event - What are the session times?

Accepted Answer

To ensure safety of everyone attending, we have divided the interactive installation into 30 minuet sessions.You are welcome to stay for as many sessions as you like.Please register for all the session times and performances you wish to attend.Each room has a capacity to hold estimated 15-20 patrons at one time.

Question 8

The Event - Can anyone attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Spoonful is disability-led and informed. Spoonful aims to be a more accessible space for all people who may be marginalised or excluded from events. It is for everyone!

Question 9

The Event - Why are you called Spoonful?

Accepted Answer

Ever heard of Spoon Theory? 🥄Spoon Theory is a metaphor developed by Christine Miserandino to explain the limited and often unpredictable energy reserves experienced by many people living with chronic illness and disability.Imagine you wake up with a certain number of spoons each day. Every activity costs a different number of spoons. Getting out of bed, having a shower, making breakfast, answering emails, attending an appointment, catching public transport, going to work or school, socialising, managing symptoms or simply having a conversation can all take up valuable spoons.Some days you have plenty. Other days, you've run out before lunchtime. Sometimes an activity that costs two spoons today might cost five tomorrow. And unlike money, you can't always borrow against tomorrow without consequences.There's also the assumption that disabled people aren't doing much, don't have much on their plates or simply have nothing better to do. In reality, many of us are juggling an extraordinary amount of invisible labour.There's always another form to fill out, another specialist to chase, another appointment to attend, another referral to organise, another waitlist to sit on, another person to educate, another phone call to make, another system to navigate. All while trying to maintain relationships, pursue creative interests, work, study, eating, showering and just existing.We have full lives. We have full plates. And sometimes, we're running low on spoons.So, why Spoonful?Because we're interested in what happens when we share what we have, rather than expecting everyone to manage everything alone.Spoonful is about mutual aid, collective care, resource sharing, disability pride, creative expression and finding ways to make life a little more manageable together.Sometimes all you have to give is a little spoonful. And sometimes, someone else has exactly what you need.Come as you are. Bring your spoons. Share a little if you can. Take a little if you need.

Question 10

Open Mic Pre-registration - Do I need to pre register to present my poetry in the open mic?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All performers will need to pre-register to perform in the open mic.Not all patrons registering for the open-mic will be selected, as Spoonful has time restraints and cannot fit everyone in. We wish we could!

Question 11

Open Mic Pre-registration - How do I register to perform in the open mic?

Accepted Answer

Select the Open Mic Performer ticket type at checkout to register.Registrations close one week before the event.A copy of your poem or presentation must be submitted for review at least one week before the event.Each performance is limited to 3 minutes maximum.Swearing and strong language are welcome where appropriate, but all material must remain respectful, non-discriminatory and free from hate speech, harassment or targeted abuse.

Question 12

Funding - How is Spoonful funded?

Accepted Answer

Spoonful 2026 is funded entirely by the Inner West Council for the 2026 Inner West Inclusion Festival.Spoonful's Intention is to provide and facilitate a fun, safe, inclusive and accessible event to the best of their ability.

Question 13

Safety - Is Spoonful a safe space?

Accepted Answer

Spoonful is a space for open expression, collective care and unapologetic conversations about disability, access, healthcare and lived experience.Some discussions, performances and creative activities may touch on emotionally charged or potentially distressing themes, including disability discrimination, ableism, healthcare barriers, medical trauma, systemic inequity, NDIS policy and recent funding cuts.Attendees are welcome to express themselves through cathartic writing, poetry, conversation, political commentary and personal storytelling through letters, drawing, or poetry. We encourage everyone to practise consent, respect personal boundaries, exercise mutual empathy and approach one another with care.Please remember that everyone has different experiences, capacities and communication styles. You are never obligated to share personal experiences, participate in activities or engage in conversations that feel uncomfortable.Take breaks whenever you need, utilise the sensory room in Room 1, and look after yourself and one another. Community care is collective care.*THE EVENT CONTENTS AND THEMES MAY PROMPT PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES TO HAVE CATHARTIC, PASSIONATE AND POLITICALLY DRIVEN DISCUSSIONS OR EXPRESSIONS THROUGH POETRY ABOUT THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES. ALL POETS WILL BE PRE-SCREENED VIA PRE-REGISTRATION BEFORE THE EVENT. PLEASE PRACTICE CONSENT, MINDFUL EMPATHY AND INTUITIVE WHEN INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER AND THE COMMUNITY.

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Welcome / Room 4

All Day Activities / Room 4

Performance Art / Room 3

Participatory Open Mic Poetry / Room 3

Closing Ceremony / Room 3 & 4

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