Heartbreak High actor Chloé Hayden has accused staff at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium of "ableism and discrimination" during the Harry Styles concerts at the weekend.
Posting to social media, Hayden told Instagram followers she had been made aware of "countless incidents" involving "both neurodivergent and physically disabled folk" at the stadium.
It comes after Hayden told followers stadium staff had made her feel unwelcome when she attempted to access the venue's sensory room.
The 25-year-old, who is autistic and has ADHD, said she later received more than 50 messages from people "who were denied access and support, humiliated and hurt thanks to Marvel Stadium's ableism and discrimination".
The actor said she had compiled various accounts of "poor experiences" during the concerts in an email to send to the stadium's management, with the stories leaving her "beyond devastated".
"[The incidents include stadium staff] telling disabled people they would have to leave because they didn't have any accessible areas, disabled lifts being broken, autistic people being forced to show diagnostic papers and being laughed at for asking for help," she said on Instagram.
"Enough is goddamn enough.
"I am doing everything in my power to fix this. Emails are being sent, conversations are being had, I am ensuring change is being made.
"I am so gutted that we still have to fight this fight. That our right to exist in public spaces is still up for debate.
"Change needs to happen and it needs to happen now."
Docklands Stadium's sensory room, which is located on the third floor, includes a bubble wall, activity panels, weighted lap pads, fidget tools and bags with noise-cancelling headphones.
The venue's website says the room can be used without reservation and resources can be hired free of charge.
"Marvel Stadium's vision of creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all its fans has reached new heights with the creation and development of Melbourne's first stadium sensory room," the website says.
It says staff have been trained by "leading medical professionals on how to recognise those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation".
'No assistance for people too fat to walk'
Hayden asked Instagram followers who went to the stadium to share their experiences with her.
One follower, who described having a panic attack and "then a full blown meltdown", said she asked a staff member at the stadium where the sensory room was located.
"The staff member just looked me up and down and simply said, 'That's not a real panic attack,'" the Instagram user said.
Another, who described themselves as "physically disabled", said they asked a staff member if there was lift access from the third level of the stadium.
"I can't walk for long periods and the queues to the lift were insane," the social media user said.
"I was rudely told that if I was unable to walk down the ramp then I shouldn't have got tickets and that they had no assistance available for people 'too fat to walk'.
"It was appalling just how insensitive the staff were."
"Staff not knowing where accessible bathrooms are and sending us on a wild goose chase!! Not good enough," another person posted.
Stadium apologies for 'hurt and inconvenience' ahead of meeting with actress
Posting to Twitter, Hayden told followers staff at the stadium had arranged to meet with her on Monday.
In a statement, stadium spokesperson Jay Allen apologised for the "hurt and inconvenience" and said he was "extremely disappointed" to hear fans could not access the sensory room.
"Staff immediately made contact and have organised a time to openly discuss and better understand what happened so we can rectify it and make any appropriate changes to ensure it doesn't happen again," he said.
Mr Allen said the stadium had been proud to provide a "safe and welcoming space for ... the many people [who] accessed it over the weekend during both concerts".
"While we sometimes experience capacity issues at major events, we still aim to provide a positive and caring experience for all patrons needing to find a quiet place."
Jim Mullan, CEO of Amaze, a peak body for Victorians with autism, told ABC Radio Melbourne preventing Hayden from accessing the sensory room showed a lack of understanding of neurodivergent conditions.
"It's absolutely essential that the people minding these facilities have an awareness and understanding of autism and can empathise and can understand that," he said.
"This is not people just looking to get out the way of the concert, this is an essential part of the provision there at Marvel Stadium."
Hayden rose to prominence playing autistic character "Quinni" Gallagher-Jones in Australian Netflix series Heartbreak High.
A total of around 100,000 fans attended the stadium for British singer Styles's two performances on Friday and Saturday nights.
