Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world, but for a person with a disability, that "liveability" depends heavily on which street you are on. Melbourne is making changes to its 19th-century history to meet 21st-century accessibility needs.

Melbourne

Economic Status: High-Income Country
Accessibility Profile: Melbourne is a leader in inclusive design for new projects, but its famous old laneways and tram network remain significant hurdles for independent travel.

The Good
Cultural Icons: Major spots like the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Federation Square, and the Melbourne Zoo are almost 100% accessible. They offer ramp access, lifts, and even "sensory-friendly" sessions for people with autism.
Sensory Navigation: The Royal Botanic Gardens features a "Seeing Eye Garden" with textured plants and fragrant herbs designed specifically for visitors with vision impairments.

Technology: Melbourne uses the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, where people can wear a sunflower lanyard to discreetly signal to staff that they may need extra support or time.

The Bad

• The Problem: Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world, but most of it was built before accessibility laws existed.

• The Result: For a tram to be "fully accessible," you need two things: a low-floor tram (no steps) AND a level-access stop (a raised platform).

• Data: As of 2024, only about 18% of Melbourne’s tram services are fully accessible. This means 4 out of 5 times, a student in a wheelchair might not be able to get on the tram they want.