About Us

The History of Avenue

Avenue was created in 2011 in direct response to the experiences so many young people with disability face coming out of the school system and into their adult lives, struggling to find quality opportunities for work and continued skill development beyond the classroom.

This was the experience of Shane O’Reilly, younger brother of Avenue Founders Laura and Jordan, who left school in 2009. Despite Shane’s many skills and talents, the world he graduated into in his late teens saw him only in the context of his profound physical disability.

As a consequence, the opportunities Shane was afforded as a young adult were limited to a handful of recreational pursuits, with no meaningful opportunity to work or to grow his talents, particularly around his computer skills. For Shane, a life without contribution was a life without purpose.

Originally conceived as a retail business selling a range of ethical products through community markets and e-commerce, the goal of Avenue was to give people with a disability the opportunity to work, build skills in an experiential setting, and foster social relationships in the context of a professional environment.

In 2018, Avenue evolved into a coworking space which continues to provide a range of meaningful vocational, skill development and social opportunities, and makes work accessible to all.

The new Avenue model enables people with disability to come together, to work, and to thrive in collaboration with peers, creating the opportunity to work in a variety of micro-enterprises or via online platforms. We believe Avenue is a game changer for many tens of thousands of people with disability in Australia who want to fully participate in the working world.

Sadly, Shane passed away in 2011 and never got to see the business that his life inspired. But his legacy continues to motivate the Avenue team to create exceptional work, learning and social opportunities for people with disability, regardless of their support needs.