THE team at kid\u2019s entertainment venue Funbugs is aiming to create a fun and family-friendly environment for all members of the community by holding special sessions for children with a disability.<\/p>\n
Owner Julie Wilson decided to begin the initiative following her experiences having a son with autism.<\/p>\n
\u201cJamie and I purchased the business about five months ago and it was our aim to involve every child and to help children out and do whatever we can to make children happy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an autistic 10-year-old son ourselves and understand the struggles.\u201d<\/p>\n
The environment at places like Funbugs can be challenging for some children with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver our four or five month we\u2019ve had autistic children come in and play but they haven\u2019t been able to handle the noise and the crowd so we thought this would be a good idea,\u201d said Ms Wilson.<\/p>\n
It is hoped the initiative will have a positive effect on parents as well as children.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just the children, it\u2019s the adults it effects,\u201d said Ms Wilson. \u201cKids can be kids and they don\u2019t realise whereas a parent you don\u2019t want to go out because you\u2019re being judged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member of the Ballarat Autism Network, Laurel Petch, said the initiative is also an important outlet for parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cJulie and Funbugs initiative to do that is amazing because it gives parents hope and gives them a social outing as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can come and have a coffee knowing their children are safe and aren\u2019t being judged by other people in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Petch said these sessions are one of the few activities available in the community for younger children with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw Julie\u2019s ad and I thought it was an amazing thing because here in Ballarat there is nothing like it that we can actually go and our children are able to play and be accepted in the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s breaking down the barriers and allowing families in the community to come and enjoy so it\u2019s an amazing step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sessions take place every second Tuesday from 4pm until 6pm, apart from the week of Monday 20 November where the session will take place on Monday instead of Tuesday.<\/p>\n
They cost $10 and are open to children with a disability or their siblings aged 13 years and under.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE team at kid\u2019s entertainment venue Funbugs is aiming to create a fun and family-friendly environment for all members of the community by holding special sessions for children with a disability. Owner Julie Wilson decided to begin the initiative following her experiences having a son with autism. \u201cJamie and I purchased the business about five […]<\/p>\n