Making space for everyone at In the Pines 2026
- Enable WA
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Supporting accessibility at community events is something we’re glad to be part of in a practical way. This year’s In the Pines was a great example of that, and we were back for our third year working alongside RTRFM.
Held at the Somerville Auditorium at UWA, In the Pines is a long-running Perth music event that brings together local artists across the day. The 2026 lineup featured 20 WA acts across two stages, including emerging artists and well-known names, making it a real snapshot of the local music scene.
A sensory space that supports different needs
Our Enable WA team ran the Sensory Space throughout the festival. It’s a quieter area where people can take a break from the noise, crowds, or general busyness of the event.
Thank you to our volunteers Matthew, Trish, Sally, Sophie, Jackie, Mark, Hayley, Josef, Abbee, Ross, James, Conor and Lauren. They helped keep the space running smoothly and made sure people felt comfortable coming in and using it in their own way.
Inside the Sensory Space, we had:
The Enable Accessible Events Trailer (available to hire through Enable WA)
Bean bags and relaxed seating
Sensory tools and resources
Toys, craft activities, colouring-in and games
Tea and a place to sit and take a break
People used the space in different ways. Some stopped in briefly between sets, others stayed longer to reset before heading back out into the festival. We had really positive feedback from people who used it across the day, particularly around having a dedicated place to step away and regulate before returning to the music.
You can find more information about the trailer here: https://www.enablewa.org.au/eventstrailer
A new Quiet Zone this year
This year also saw the introduction of a Quiet Zone, created following feedback from last year’s DIAG meeting.
The Quiet Zone was supported by The University of Western Australia and designed as a space for total quiet. It included books provided by RTRFM, along with blankets, beanbags, and noise cancelling headphones.
It offered an additional option for people who needed a completely low-stimulation environment, separate from the Sensory Space, and it was well used throughout the day.
Connecting with attendees and students
We also had a stand inside the main festival area. This gave us a chance to talk with attendees throughout the day and share information about Enable WA.
A focus this year was speaking with university students who are studying or considering Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, or Support Work. We shared information about roles at Enable WA, including opportunities while studying and after graduation.
It was a good opportunity for open conversations about what working in the disability sector can look like in real life settings.
Want to find out more? Click here: New Graduate Clinician Program
Why we keep coming back
In the Pines is also a fundraiser for RTRFM, supporting independent community radio and local music in Perth. The day brings together live performances, food vendors, and community in the setting of Somerville, with 10 hours of WA music broadcast live on RTRFM.
Alongside the Sensory Space, we continue to contribute to RTRFM’s Disability Access and Inclusion Group (DIAG), sharing feedback after each event. This helps shape ongoing improvements and small changes that make a difference over time.
Working together
We appreciate continuing to work with RTRFM, The University of Western Australia, and the wider festival team, along with other supporters who help make the event possible.
Thanks also to everyone who spent time in the Sensory Space or Quiet Zone, or stopped by our stand for a chat. It all contributes to making events like In the Pines more accessible in ways that are practical, evolving, and grounded in real feedback.
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