Story by Josh Evans

I recently attended Ability Fest, and I have to say, I was really impressed with how accessible and inclusive the event was. It’s not always easy for people with disabilities to attend concerts and festivals, but Ability Fest went out of their way to make sure that everyone could enjoy the experience equally.

One of the best parts of the day was being in the front row for my favourite band, Hilltop Hoods. I felt like I was right in the middle of the action, and it was an incredible feeling and not something I can normally do at a concert. Plus, it was really convenient that the event was close to parking and the city, which made it easy to get there and get around, whether you are getting there via public transport or driving.

There were also a variety of food trucks available, although I ended up going out for dinner instead because just like every event with food trucks there’s a long line and it’s always a bit pricey. But it was nice to see that there were plenty of options for those who wanted to stay and eat at the festival. The best thing about all the food trucks was that each of them had a table in front, so people of all abilities could easily talk to and pay the vendors and receive their food within arms reach.

An abundance of accessible bathrooms, sensory rooms and viewing platforms meant that there was something for everyone. Even though the event was aimed at creating the most inclusive event for people with disabilities it was definitely not limited to that. Ability Fest is really meant for all which is exactly what it was.

Enjoy the few photos of me with my friends and fiancee enjoying ourselves at Ability Fest. I should have got a few more photos to look back on, but we were appreciating the moment.

Overall, I had such a fantastic time at Ability Fest, and I appreciate the effort that the legend Dylan Alcott and the organisers put into creating an inclusive atmosphere. It’s not always easy to find events that cater to people with disabilities, so it was really refreshing to see one that went out of its way to make sure everyone could enjoy the day. I hope that more events like this will continue to pop up in the future.