Last Saturday, Indian dating product Inclov ran the country’s first ever inclusive nightclub party for people with disabilities.
The event was run through Inclov’s offline Social Spaces meetup platform, that brings together people with disabilities for offline events and meetups.
All these meetups are 100% accessible through ramps at entry/exit doors, have accessible washrooms and sign language interpreters.
And last weekend, the Indian dating company held an event at the Kitty Su club at Lalit Hotel, New Delhi, the only Indian club listed in DJ Mag’s “Top 100 Clubs Around The World”.
In the list, DJ Mag said: “A truly unique venue in the heart of chaotic New Delhi, Kitty Su is one of a kind in every respect. Socially it’s one of the Indian capital’s strongest voices in the LGBT community, balancing the high-life spirit with an accessible party vibe.”
The hotel staff underwent a sensitisation training for the evening, and also made special arrangements including the setting up of a red carpet and ramps directly at the club’s entry for the convenience of people on wheelchairs.
According to Inclov, some people travelled as much as 400km to attend the night, coming from Rajasthan, Bareilly and beyond, the company having to close registrations two days before the event.
One attendee, Manish said: “I had gone to a club with my friends in Kolkata, but was denied entry because I was on a wheelchair. It had affected me psychologically and I never thought this would ever be possible.
“Today is a dream come true for me; to be able to drink, dance and party like everyone else; I cant thank Inclov enough for providing this opportunity.”
Inclov is “the world’s first matchmaking app focused on people with disabilities and health disorders”.
The platform generated over 1,000 matches for its 3,600 users six months after launching at the start of last year.
Speaking about the event, Inclov co-founders, Kalyani Khona and Shankar Srinivasan said: “I’ve had this in mind for a while now. We began Inclov as a platform to give equal opportunity to all to find a match.
“Inclov’s Social Spaces started last year with only 5 people in a cafe and over the last year, we have had 20+ meet ups at beaches, cafes, restaurants, hotels and now at a night club.”
Asked why hosting these types of events is difficult, Kalyani said: “Lack of fully accessible facilities and platforms is a major concern for people with disabilities. For every meet up hosted by Inclov, 100% accessibility with ramps, presence of sign language interpreters and staff sensitisation over the issue is a must.
“To this end, the Lalit Hotel and Kitty Su staff in particular have been very helpful in ensuring that tonight is a big hit with our guests.”
Mr Keshav Suri, the Executive Director of Lalit Hotels said: “My vision with Kitty Su was to provide everyone a place, where people can be themselves, are not judged or do not feel intimidated.
“This tie-up with Inclov is a step forward in that direction. Kitty Su is 100 percent accessible to all. The no discrimination policy ensures our guests unwind without inhibition.”
Read out feature on Inclov here.