We, the undersigned, call on McDonald's Australia to improve accessibility, sensory inclusion, and safety for disabled children, autistic individuals, sensory-sensitive patrons, and their families across all Australian McDonald’s restaurants.

Many families attend McDonald’s specifically because of the play areas and family-friendly environment. However, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD, anxiety disorders, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities, the current environment in many stores can be overwhelming, inaccessible, and distressing.

Common concerns repeatedly experienced by families and carers include:

-Excessively loud music throughout dining areas and toilets;

-Sensory overload caused by persistently high music volume combined with reduced accessible seating due to closure of significant dining areas during peak periods, leading to overcrowding and heightened sensory stress

-Family seating areas near play equipment being closed during peak meal times;

-Lack of quiet or low-stimulation spaces for distressed children;

-Dogs being tied near restaurant entrances and exits, creating accessibility and safety concerns;

-Lack of disability awareness and de-escalation understanding from staff.

-For many disabled people, sensory overload is not a behavioural issue — it is a neurological and disability-related response. Loud music, barking dogs, crowded spaces, and inaccessible seating arrangements can quickly escalate distress, meltdowns, panic, or emotional dysregulation.

Many autistic children and sensory-sensitive individuals cannot simply “push through” overwhelming environments. Families and carers are often actively attempting to regulate and safely support children during moments of distress, and accessible environments can make a substantial difference to both safety and wellbeing.

Particular concerns include music volumes that are so loud they can be heard blaring throughout dining areas and even within disabled toilets, creating unnecessary sensory stress for disabled patrons. Parents and carers have also raised ongoing concerns regarding seating near play areas frequently being closed during busy meal periods, despite these areas being essential for supervising and supporting disabled children.

There are also accessibility concerns where non-assistance dogs are tied near store entrances or exits. Many McDonald’s locations have only one practical access point. Barking or reactive dogs near entrances can frighten autistic children and other disabled patrons, potentially causing meltdowns, panic responses, or preventing safe entry and exit.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), businesses open to the public have obligations to ensure disabled people are not treated less favourably and are provided with reasonable accommodations unless doing so would impose unjustifiable hardship.

 Accessibility includes not only physical access, but also reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people can safely and equally access services.

We therefore call on McDonald’s Australia to implement the following accessibility measures nationwide:

-Reduce music volume in dining areas and toilets to sensory-friendly levels;

-Introduce sensory-friendly dining practices and quieter family environments;

-Ensure seating areas near play areas remain open and accessible during peak meal periods wherever reasonably possible;

-Provide low-stimulation or quieter seating options in family-oriented stores;

-Improve disability awareness, autism understanding, and de-escalation training for staff;

-Prohibit non-assistance dogs from being tied near restaurant entrances and exits;

-Introduce policies to ensure entrances remain safe and accessible for disabled patrons and children;

-Work collaboratively with disability advocates, autistic individuals, parents, and carers to improve accessibility standards across stores.

These changes would improve safety, accessibility, and inclusion not only for disabled children and families, but for many Australians who experience sensory sensitivities, anxiety, disability, or accessibility barriers.

Accessibility is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

We ask McDonald’s Australia to create environments that are genuinely inclusive, accessible, and safe for all families.

Sign this petition to support disability accessibility and sensory inclusion in McDonald’s restaurants across Australia.

This petition is ultimately about making all public spaces more inclusive and accessible for people with sensory disabilities and sensory sensitivities; McDonald’s is simply the starting point following a recent incident and conversations with others who experience similar challenges — because meaningful change happens one step, one business, and one public space at a time.