DiscoAbility Gold Coast | Inclusive Halloween Disco

Jase
2 minutes ago
3 min read

DiscoAbility Gold Coast | Inclusive Halloween Disco

The Night

inclusive Halloween disco Gold Coast Group photo — Happy Halloween

What a night! The inclusive Halloween disco Gold Coast was full of laughter, dancing, and pure good vibes. Everyone came dressed up, and the energy on the dance floor was unreal — exactly the kind of night that makes all the hard work worth it.

Massive thanks to the crew that made it happen — Tash, Bella, Josh, and Kingsley (turning it into a real family affair), plus Krystle-Lee from Connecting2Care and Mel from Spicy Coordination for smashing out the decorations and making sure everyone got their prize draw entries in.

There were prizes, laughs, random dance battles, and that awesome feeling that happens when people just feel comfortable enough to be themselves.

The “Evil Plan”

One thing — and probably the thing I’m happiest about — is seeing some of the regulars who’ve been to a few of these events starting to interact more, dance together, and just enjoying being in each other’s space, having fun.

That’s my evil plan working (muahaha).

Because yeah, it’s about having a good night out — but it’s really about connection. When I started these, I saw a gap that needed filling. Being an independent, I don’t have 30 clients who all socialise together — I’ve got a handful of individuals who, for some, the only people they hang with outside of family are those they meet in my group.

That’s restrictive.

And through my networking events and chats with other providers, I realised this isn’t just my problem — there’s a gap for lots of independents too.

Now imagine: the only people you ever hang out with are paid to be there. That’s not living — that’s surviving.

So when I see participants connecting with each other, chatting, laughing, even just sharing space comfortably — that’s the point. That’s what community participation should look like.

The Bigger Picture

Our clients are people, not just their disabilities. They move through the world like everyone else and feel things deeply.

So part of what we do in social and community participation should be about giving them the tools and chances to actually participate — not just tick boxes. That might mean helping them meet people outside our own circles, and I love that I get to meet other amazing providers and independent supports who get it.

And that's what it's all about!

When I see those supports interacting naturally with their clients at these events — laughing, dancing, genuinely connecting — it’s clear as day.

To me, it makes sense that maybe after a few of these events, friendships kick off. And if those friends decide to go out in the world together — even if it’s “double dating” with their own supports — that’s capacity building.

That’s self-worth.

That’s quality of life.

That’s the point.

My Thoughts

Maybe my brain just works differently, but I can’t help imagining the world through some of their eyes.

Imagine not having friends. Imagine how that would feel — what you’d think your worth or your place in the world is.

We work with people who can tell us exactly how they feel, and others who may never be able to. But they all deserve to have a space where they can belong — where they can, on their own accord, build connections, friendships, or even just moments of laughter.

That’s what this is all about.

That’s why I keep doing it.

I know I probably got a bit deep there, lol — but that’s how my brain works.

What’s Next

This was our last one for the year, and I’ll be looking at how often to run them next year. I’ll be gathering feedback from participants, families, and supports to make sure they hit the mark.

Please comment here, message me directly, or leave feedback on Facebook — the more I know about what’s wanted and needed, the more I can shape these nights to build the kind of social and community participation that actually matters.

Shoutouts & Thanks

A huge thank you to everyone who came along — you’re the reason these nights exist. Seeing you dance, laugh, and just be yourselves is what makes it all worth it.

Tash, Bella, Josh, and Kingsley, you’re my glue.

Krystle-Lee from Connecting2Care and Mel from Spicy Coordination, thank you for the energy, the decorations, and for making sure everyone felt included. Thankyou to the Halloween Queen, Casey, for letting us use her decorations.

Here is a pic of her Goresome setup