In welcome news for Autistic people who love their footy, Adelaide Oval will be constructing a sensory space at the venue in time for next year’s Gather Round.

The Oval is one of 17 South Australian organisations that will receive grants from the State Government to increase knowledge, understanding and belonging for Autistic people and autism communities in South Australia.

The new Autism Works in the Community grants program builds on a range of initiatives being developed by the State Government’s Office for Autism.

It also delivers on commitments in the newly released State Autism Strategy to partner with organisations to support inclusive initiatives for Autistic people covering a variety of important life domains.

Recipients to share in the $250,000 funding will deliver projects across metropolitan and regional communities, promoting inclusion in key areas of employment, community participation and autism awareness training.

Some of the other grant recipients include:

• Spectrum Writing ($5862): To produce and publish a printed anthology featuring Autistic writers.
• Beach Road Wines ($2200): To collaborate with Autism SA to expand their offerings of inclusive tourism experiences for neurodivergent communities
• KIK Innovation ($44,000): To deliver the SEE ME project, supporting autistic students to work in a peer learning environment with direct links to employers who can promote autism inclusion in their organisation or industry and pave the way for meaningful employment

Adelaide Oval CEO Nick Addison said ensuring that the venue was a welcoming place for all guests was a constant priority.

“We know from our experience offering temporary spaces during recent major events such as P!nk and the Matildas game that these facilities are very well received by those with sensory needs and the ability to make this a permanent part of the Adelaide Oval experience is something our team has been working hard to achieve,” Mr Addison said.

Spectrum Writing CEO and founder Jason Fischer said the grant would fund the publication and launch of their participants’ first ever volume of work.

“Hyperfocus is a book that will weaponize their special interests and hyperfixations, and it promises to unleash their staggering imaginations upon the public,” Mr Fischer said.

“Not only will this book launch their careers as writers, but we hope it will give them and their families great pride and a sense of achievement.”

Full details of grant recipients can be found on the Office for Autism.