The Counihan Gallery is working towards removing physical and perceived access barriers. The Counihan Gallery aims for inclusion for all members of our community.

Call us on 9389 8622 or email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au for access or interpreting help.

Gallery visitors who are blind or have low vision

Guide Dogs and other registered assistance dogs are welcome at the Counihan Gallery. Water bowls are available on request.

When an exhibition has low-level or disorienting lighting, we will put this information on the exhibition event page. You can see all the exhibition event pages for current or upcoming events on our What's on at the Counihan Gallery page.

You can download a digital copy of the exhibition room sheet from the exhibition event page. Alternatively, you can ask the staff at Gallery reception for a large printed copy of the room sheet. Room sheets are exhibition documents that include information such as artist statements, artist biographies, artwork details, and artwork prices.

Gallery visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities

The Counihan Gallery is usually quiet on Wednesdays. You can call us on 9389 8622 or email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au on the day of your visit to check if we are busy before you arrive.

We can also open for an appointment from Wednesdays to Fridays between 9am and 11am. Appointments must be booked in advance. You can contact the Gallery to arrange an appointment by emailing CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or calling 9389 8622.

Some of our exhibitions include sensory content. When an exhibition contains sensory content, we will put this on the exhibition event page. Please be aware that sometimes up to three exhibitions are on display at the same time. Each exhibition may have different sensory content. You can see all the exhibition event pages for current or upcoming events on our What's on at the Counihan Gallery page.

You can also contact us by calling 9389 8622 or emailing CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au on the day of your visit to check what exhibitions are on display before you arrive.

Gallery visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing

Auslan interpreting at Counihan Gallery events

At the Counihan Gallery, we interpret some of our events in Auslan.

When we have booked an Auslan interpreter for an event, it will be listed on the event page. You can see all the event pages for current or upcoming events on our What's on at the Counihan Gallery page.

You can contact us if you are interested in attending an event that does not have an interpreter booked and we will book an interpreter. Please note we need at least two weeks’ notice to book an Auslan interpreter. Interpreting is subject to interpreter availability.

Captioning of online or recorded Counihan Gallery events

We record many of our events and post themon the Counihan Gallery Instagram page. These recordings are autocaptioned.

If an event is going to be recorded, it will be listed on the event page. You can see all the event pages for current or upcoming events on our What's on at the Counihan Gallery page.

If you would like an event to be recorded, you can email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au to let us know. You will need to provide us with 48 hours' notice of your request for a recording.

Accessible ways to contact the Counihan Gallery

We have some accessible options available for contacting us at the Counihan Gallery. These include:

• Email: you can email CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au with any enquiries, questions or comments.
• National Relay Service (NRS): the National Relay Service is an Australia-wide phone service. It assists people who are Deaf, or who have a hearing or speech impairment. It helps people make and receive phone calls. You can find out more about this service on the National Relay Service website.
• Teletypewriter (TTY): To use the Teletypewriter service call 133 677, then ask for 03 9389 8622.
• Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech): To use the Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech) service call 1300 555 727, then ask for 03 9389 8622.

We also have the option of using Language Link if you speak a language other than English. Language Link is Merri-bek Council’s free multilingual telephone information service. You can call to connect through a telephone interpreter or listen to information.

The phone numbers below will connect you with Language Link for the following languages:

Arabic: 9280 1913

Cantonese: 9280 1910

Greek: 9280 1912

Hindi: 9280 1918

Italian: 9280 1911

Mandarin: 9280 0750

Punjabi: 9280 0751

Turkish: 9280 1914

Vietnamese: 9280 1915

Other languages: 9280 1919

Gallery visitors with physical access needs 

The Counihan Gallery is inside the Brunswick Town Hall. There is a ramp at the entrance to the Brunswick Town Hall. The ramp is 100cm wide. 

All our exhibition spaces are on the ground level and are accessible by wheelchair. The Counihan Gallery has some seating. The Gallery can provide more seating on request. 

Counihan Gallery bathrooms 

Bathrooms are on the ground level of the Brunswick Town Hall.

There is one bathroom designed to be be accessed by wheelchair. It has no stairs or barriers. The doorway to the bathroom is 80cm wide. The bathroom has a handrail on the left side of the toilet.

We have an all-gender bathroom. This bathroom includes baby change facilities that all patrons can use.  

Accessible transport options to the gallery 

The Counihan Gallery has the following accessible transport options nearby. 

• Train: Jewel Station is 550 metres from the Counihan Gallery. It has a low platform, wheelchair access and tactile edges. 
• Tram: Route 19 has an accessible stop at Brunswick Road (Stop 19). It is 500 metres from the Counihan Gallery. Route 19 is serviced by low floor trams.  
• Car: There is one disabled car space in front of the Counihan Gallery. You can park in this carpark for up to 4 hours every day, except between 4pm to 6pm. During this time, it is part of a tow-away zone. 

Providing feedback on the Gallery's accessibility

We welcome suggestions and feedback on how to make the Counihan Gallery a more accessible and inclusive space. You can provide feedback by calling 9389 8622 or emailing CounihanGallery@merri-bek.vic.gov.au