Being a person with a disability presents many challenges, one of which can be social isolation. The arrival of Ables Nightclub in Nowra’s Bridge Tavern this Saturday night aims to remove that obstacle.
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Meeting people in a non threatening social environment can build lasting networks and relationships.
Ables is Australia’s first and only public and inclusive nightclub for people with disabilities.
It was launched at The Grand Hotel in Wollongong in August 2015.
Since then hundreds of patrons have attended the monthly Ables nightclubs events, which have been spread around the Grand Hotel, The Ivory and The Harp Hotel venues.
And now Ables is coming to Nowra. Ables will be in Nowra every month, starting with Ables at the Bridge Tavern (87 Bridge Road, Nowra) on Saturday, April 22 from 8.30pm.
There will be free pizza, giveaways and prizes, and lots of great music on the night. Entry is free.
“We have had so much fun at Ables,” said one of the organisers Sean O’Neill.
“I didn’t realise it when we started but Ables is such an important night for some people with disabilities, it means everyone can have fun without the hassles that can happen at nightclubs.”
“There is something really special when there is someone with a disability singing karaoke on the stage at The Harp Hotel and the whole room is singing with them,” he said.
“Ables is at the forefront of changing the social lives of people with disabilities throughout the Illawarra and Shoalhaven,” said the other organiser Beau Thatcher.
“We have seen immense growth in confidence and self-esteem in everyone who attends Ables. This has resulted in lots of new relationships and friendships that could last a lifetime,”
“We have had hundreds of people attend Ables over the past two years.
“We have seen people become couples and couples become fiances at the Wollongong Ables nights. Now it’s Nowra’s turn,” Mr Thatcher said.
Supporting Ables Nowra are leading Nowra based disability support organisations The Disability Trust, Greenacres, Flagstaff, Northcott, Community Gateway, Essential Employment and Training and Just Better Care.