Fierce and fabulous entrepreneur

August 2020

In 2014 Bernadette Rigney set a target to modernize the disability sector, transforming the stereotype. Fability was born. The company has pioneered initiatives which have gained international exposure with the aim to help individuals design their dream careers, businesses and reach their goals.

We chatted to Bernadette recently about her personal and entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s a snippet…
Question: Where did the name Fability come from and what does it represent to you?
Bernadette: It came from two words – Fabulous Ability. I wanted to focus on the more fun lifestyles of persons with disabilities. Disability is always associated with charity, no one focuses on empowerment and I wanted to shine a light on it.

There is no stopping Bernadette

21 August 2020

Going digital

Along with the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, there has been progress in an area that Bernadette is passionate about – digital transformation.

“For years I have been asking corporates to go more digital. This was my dream”.

Working remotely, for Bernadette along with many persons with disabilities, can really open opportunities. “I made the decision to work from home indefinitely. Happy me,” she says.

The SOOQ Women’s Month Feature

August 2020

Introducing the owner of Fability

Fability, owned by Bernadette Rigney, an award-winning Entrepreneur who loves to share her passion for business, marketing and entrepreneurship. She founded Fability in 2014 and has pioneered initiatives which gained international exposure, worked on global projects to share disability awareness through Media platforms and achieved remarkable results in breaking barriers.

We caught up with Bernadette to find out more about her & asked her a few questions, this is what she had to say: …

Virtual Coffee with Francois

11 August 2020

Special Guest: Bernadette Rigney

Bernadette is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Former Government Transformation Officer.

She worked in the USA and gained experience in international marketing and event management. Upon returning to Johannesburg she worked in the Cosmetic Industry.

In 2014 Bernadette set a target to modernize the disability sector, transforming the stereotype. She started Fability. She has pioneered initiatives which gained international exposure and worked on global projects through Media platforms.

She helps individuals design their dream careers, businesses and reach their goals through her website, workshops and social media.

The Daily Hustle

July 2020

Bernadette brings inclusion to the Workplace in South Africa 👏. Keep hustling! Bernadette is featured on The Daily Hustle podcast!

On the daily hustle:

To me hustle is turning your passion into revenue and once you enjoy doing something and earn money from it then that becomes your hustle

Subscribe to our newsletter via www.thedailyhustleonline.com or drop your email we will add you to the list.

Suzanne Daniels

26 May 2020

Suzanne Daniels chats to Bernadette about COVID-19, the challenges and the come back for Entrepreneurs.

KBMF 102.5fm

16 October 2019

Top Model South Africa Finalists, Sherise Dreyer, Lloyd Babedi, Mechelle Le Roux and the Head of Diversity Bernadette Rigney had such a great time doing this interview for the USA Radio Station KBMF 102.5fm. The show aired last night 8-9pm Eastern Standard Time on: http://www.butteamericaradio.org/

Rolling Inspiration

11-12 April 2019

Disability Summit and Career Expo 2019: What started out as the Hope-Mandeville Career Expo held at the Hope School has grown into a two-day event attended by various industries within the disability sector, as well as students and other people with disabilities. The 2019 Disability Summit and Career Expo, sponsored by the SABC, was held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg, on April 11 and 12.

SAfm

27 November 2018

#SAfmLifeTimeLive ThisAbility Feature: Criselda Dudumashe spoke to Luthando Kekana a Senior Communications Specialist, Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, on SAfm about being a Mom, pregnant, a career woman and disabled.

SABC 3

30 July 2018

SABC 3’s Real Talk: Fability assisted with the Guest line-up, the feature focuses on persons with disabilities who have built successful careers.

#inclusion #diversity #corporateleaders

Creative Space Media

18 April 2018

Highlights from the 2018 Disability Summit and Career Expo hosted by SABC.

SAfm

18 April 2018

We chat about Fability’s involvement at the 2018 Disability Summit and Career Expo hosted by SABC.

Fability Top 10 Most Influential 2017

January 2018

10 Smergos #Innovators
09 Lebohang Monyatsi Miss Wheelchair World runner-up #AbilityRedefined
08 Samkelo Radebe #EmbraceBeingDifferent
07 Regina Mary #AlbinismTheNewEra
06 Andraèa LaVant #DesignForAll
05 Stephen Hawking #BeCurious
04 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters Miss Universe #Unbreakable
03 Doug Anderson #360
02 Zain Bulbulia #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs
01 JACK EYERS Mr England #1man1leg1mission

Every successful person has one thing in common, they are themselves. Be Yourself. Thank you for watching. Video by eyeye

SABC 2

01 December 2017

Beyond Boundaries TV Interview for International Disability Day with Samkelo Radebe and Bernadette Rigney.

Good Hope FM

01 December 2017

Celebrating International Disability Day with Good Hope FM.

5FM

01 December 2017

Bernadette is an entrepreneur, a disability rights advocate, a motivational speaker, aspiring politician and loves to make a difference, epitomising her motto of ‘The Ability to Live Life Fabulously’.

She has been involved in founding numerous activities and projects to bring about positive change including establishing Fability (Pty) Ltd: Lifestyle Guide. Nicole spoke to her about her winning the Entrepreneur Award at the 2017 Valhalla Arts Tributes Excellence Awards.

KBMF 102.5fm

09 November 2017

Home Away Show is a live program on Umbani Radio based in New York.

Bernadette Rigney’s first live International after winning the TRIBUTES Excellence Award — Entrepreneur 2017.

SAfm

17 September 2017

Ashraf Garda interviews Bernadette Rigney

Fashion, Media, Modelling, Magazines, TV Shows and Film … do we see enough persons with disabilities out there?

WC Radio platforms

August 2017

Fanie du Toit interviews Bernadette Rigney

The goal is to work with individuals and reach their full potential. Fability has a broad Network which allows us to give individuals a chance to meet Sectors to allow them to succeed in Business – from Corporate, Government to the Modelling and Entertainment industries.

Metro FM

26 July 2017

DJ Fresh and Somizi chatted to Bernadette about matters around Disability in the Workplace and Communication.

Radio 2000

20 April 2017

Fability exhibited at the Sixth Annual Career Expo by Mandeville and Hope School with VIP guest Zain Bulbulia from the Gauteng Premier’s Office.

Bernadette did a live interview from the school, chatting about the challenges Persons with Disabilities face in the workplace and career opportunities.

Fability Top 10 Most Influential 2016

January 2017

10 Lebohang Monyatsi #AbilityRedefined
09 Nicholas Goliath #Adventurer
08 Rudi Claase and Charne Hugo #DynamicDuo
07 Ashlinn Gray #Artist
06 Jason Goliath #Compassion
05 DJ Black Coffee #Authenticity
04 Zain Bulbulia #Inclusion
03 Marciel Hopkins #healthnotsize
02 Jack Eyers #ModelMogul
01 Soneni Gwizi #HeartAndSoulAfrica

WC Radio platforms

November 2016

Disability Month is an opportunity for disabled individuals to share their experiences and give advice.

Fanie du Toit interviews Bernadette Rigney.

1) Why are 2% targets consisting of staff with disabilities not reached for many companies? What are the retention strategies?
2) How do we train learners to become Entrepreneurs should they be unsuccessful in landing jobs.
3) What are the benefits of remote offices and virtual communication?
4) How does Society benefit?

The goal is to work with individuals and reach their full potential. Fability has a broad Network which allows us to give individuals a chance to meet Sectors to allow them to succeed in Business – from Corporate, Government to the Modelling and Entertainment industries.

Radio 2000

10 November 2016

Disability Month is an opportunity for disabled individuals to share their experiences and give advice.

Fability continues to empower individuals, educate the community and share the latest technology, we hope to encourage Skills Development, University entries and Job opportunities.

A bright future for our Youth.

Radio 2000

27 October 2016

Radio 2000 Disability Transport project – hosted by Fability and the Gauteng Office of the Premier

The team travelled from SABC Aukland Park to OR Tambo International airport and back during the course of the day.

Radio 2000 SABC News along with members of the Office of the Premier, as well as Amanda Gibberd from national DoT, Public Transport Network Development, including the team from Roads and Transport, a number of people with disabilities and celebrities; Comedian Nick Goliath, Singers Storm and Ashlinn Gray tested how accessible the public transport system is.

Radio 2000

31 August 2016

Bernadette Rigney rounded off Women’s Month on Radio 2000.

Supporting the empowerment of individuals with disabilities. We also highlight on the Evolving Workplace, remote working, going digital and more.

Radio Riverside

16 August 2016

Fability Model Tania Van Twisk celebrates Women’s Month

Breathtakingly beautiful Tania van Twisk shared her dreams of becoming a model and how she continued after a horrific car accident. An inspiration to many to continue and pursue all your goals.

Niche Radio

30 July 2016

Storm Showcase

Fans of singing sensation Storm had the opportunity to meet the performer and listen to him perform live at The Venue on Saturday 30 July 2016 before he jets off to Nashville for the SuperXtar finale later this year.

Hashtag Radio

07 July 2016

Livetime tweeting platform with SA Entrepreneurs sharing their success stories.

Co-Hosts
Samkelo Radebe: Fability Speaker, Lawyer and Olympic Medalist
Marciel Hopkins: Miss South Africa Finalist 2016, Model and Motivational Speaker

Celebrating Young South African Entrepreneurs

SABC 3

08 May 2016

Expresso interviewed Bernadette Rigney at the ‪#‎WingsForLifeWorldRun global event in Pretoria. One of the most exciting events!!

Cliff Central

26 April 2016

Isn’t it strange that around 15% of persons with disabilities who are working are self-employed versus the less than 10% of non-disabled people with their own businesses? More disabled people are beginning to follow suit, starting up their own businesses. As the continent, government and business community, we seek to affirm and give recognition to entrepreneurs with disabilities who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and triumph over adversities in their business enterprises. Joining Teboho Mafodi and Bulelani Balabala on this discussion is Linda Ka Nxumalo who’s a motivational speaker, Bernadette Rigney who’s a former Government Transformation Officer, now a respected social entrepreneur, as well as Velile Maranisi who’s a centre manager for Cheshire and young image consultant, Phindile Makola.

Radio 2000

13 April 2016

Fability exhibited at the Fifth Annual Career Expo by Mandeville and Hope School.

The guests included Fability Models, Gauteng Premier’s Office and Singer Charne Hugo. This interview was a live broadcast from Hope School.

Title: Heroes – Daniel Baron

The recording of the brand new Faba Foundation Anti-Bullying music video with artist Daniel Baron took place at Brands Luv U. FABA, Fability and Daniel will be featured in the video.

SuperSport

16 January 2016

Fability exhibited the latest devices for sportsman with disability. We were interviewed by SuperSport channel 206 during the ‪#‎JoburgOpen10 at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Course.

Fability Model 2016

January 2016

Sizzling Video of Caleb Swanepoel by The Video Guys. Fability created Fability Models which gained international attention, and paved the way for Models with Disabilities. Caleb was the first disabled model to enter and win the title Mr MPSA in the South African pageant industry.

Fability Model wins SA Pageant 2016

January 2016

The Models and Pageantry SA Magazine (MPSAmag) hosted their inaugural Miss, Mrs and Mr MPSAmag at The Venue Melrose Arch on 31 January. Caleb Swanepoel, a 20-year-old amputee model and first-time pageant entrant stole the show. Swanepoel survived a devastating shark attack in Knysna in 2015, leaving him with a prosthetic right leg. The drama student from the University of Cape Town got his first win in the 17+ male category, then scooped the overall senior male category, before walking away with the overall winner’s title – Mr MPSAmag 2016.

Hashtag Radio

January 2016

Introducing Caleb Swanepoel Fability Model 2016. Morne Marais also chats about the up coming Joburg Open 2016 and Fability’s involvement.

Fability Moments 2015

January 2016

We would like to Thank everyone for being part of the Fability journey in 2015. Wishing you a wonderful and successful 2016…

Love, Team Fability x

SABC 2

07 December 2015

Morning Live

Fability was honoured to attend this Event and Discussion, invited by the Office of the Premier. The insert was broadcast Live on SABC 2 between 06:30-09:00am.

#16DaysofActivism

702

03 December 2015

International Day of Persons

Bernadette Rigney from Fability chatted to Radio 702 about projects and Entrepreneurship during the Annual Event that took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria celebrating Disability Day.

Radio 2000

10 November 2015

Fability’s core function is recruitment. Bernadette Rigney from Fability and Kira Sakota a recruitment specialist chatted to Radio 2000 about a recent successful candidate who was placed into an accounts position, the Company modified the Building to accommodate her disability. Today, the disabled candidate is the top performing employee for the Company.

Radio 2000

05 November 2015

Radio 2000 chats to Fability about Disability Awareness Month. Bernadette gives advice to persons with disabilities and shares how Fability supports individuals who are seeking jobs, aspiring models and so much more.

Radio 2000

November 2015

Adverts played on the Radio 2000 Station up to 7 times daily throughout Disability Month. Bernadette Rigney’s inserts highlighted on various topics such as recruitment and providing guidelines for accessibility on companies property and assistance to comply with Legislative Acts and Employment Equity Policies understanding the benefits of/and creating employment opportunities for People with Disabilities. We aim to create equal and fair opportunities for People with Disabilities.

SABC News

20 October 2015

Tuesday, the 20th of October 2015 Radio 2000 and members of the Office of the Premier, City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Transport, Gautrain, Rea Vaya, Fability as well as a number of celebrities with disabilities embarked on a ride in support of Transport Month, to showcase the efficiency of our public transport system and how disabled friendly it is. All participants gathered at SABC Radiopark from 07:15am to Pretoria Hatfield and back via Sandton to SABC using Rea Vaya and Gautrain.

Radio 2000

20 October 2015

Tuesday, the 20th of October 2015 Radio 2000 and members of the Office of the Premier, City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Transport, Gautrain, Rea Vaya, Fability as well as a number of celebrities with disabilities embarked on a ride in support of Transport Month, to showcase the efficiency of our public transport system and how disabled friendly it is. All participants gathered at SABC Radiopark from 07:15am to Pretoria Hatfield and back via Sandton to SABC using Rea Vaya and Gautrain.

The journey was followed point to point by Radio 2000 and SABC News from start to finish.

Podcasts:
http://iono.fm/e/220987 – Lunch on 2000
http://iono.fm/e/220927 – The Collective
http://iono.fm/e/220939 – The Collective
http://iono.fm/e/220918 – The Drive Time Experience
http://iono.fm/e/220849 – Planet Haaibo

Jacaranda fm

26 September 2015

An inspirational story of persons with disabilities aims to change the conventional idea of beauty. We speak to CEO of Fability Bernadette Rigney, singer Charne Hugo and TV and Radio personality Terry Ann Adams.

Jacaranda Blog: http://jacarandafm.com/shows/saturday-breakfast-frankie-and-kriya/saturday-breakfast-get-fabulous-fability/

Podcasts:
Part 1: https://m.soundcloud.com/jacaranda-fm/fability-on-saturday-breakfast-part-1
Part 2: https://m.soundcloud.com/jacaranda-fm/fability-on-saturday-breakfast-part-2

The Fability Song:
https://m.soundcloud.com/charne-hugo

RSG

05 September 2015

Our Media Mogul Irene Fischer rocked on RSG Sunday at 17h30 talking Fability Models. Irene is the spokesperson for the Road Accident Fund before her vehicle accident, she was a Radio Personality at OFM since then Irene has wowed the Media World by becoming an Author amongst many many achievements.

We are honoured that you are part of the Fability Team. Irene has massive things lined up over the next few weeks and we cannot wait to be part of her journey in making dreams a reality.

Getting to know Irene ‪#‎Icon ‪#‎Accomplished ‪#‎Dynamic

Hashtag Radio

02 September 2015

Magdel Steyn from Hashtag Radio chats about Fability Models SA with our beautiful Judge Mishka Patel and her involvement.

Models of Diversity

September 2015

Fability Models SA receives global support from Models of Diversity. Paving the way for South African Disabled Models to take on the Global Fashion Industry.

Hashtag Radio

23 July 2015

Livetime tweeting platform with SA Entrepreneurs sharing their success stories.

Radio Today

08 June 2015

Cavall Burgess interviews Fability and Drive and Thrive. Bernadette arranges for Danny K to announce the two wheelchair ticket winners to see Clarkson, Hammond and May Live at the Dome.

Fability News

30 April 2015

Fability exclusive interview with JT Foxx. JT Foxx shows that a disability doesn’t define your ability to be successful.

Radio Today

18 April 2015

I get up again … Bernadette Rigney & Terry-Ann Adams

Bernadette Rigney, Director of fAbility, a company which shares innovative ideas and technology to assist and improve the lifestyles of persons with physical disabilities, is adamant: “With all eyes on us, we may as well keep it fabulous!”

APD WC

March 2015

The 2015 SEDA Disabled Entrepreneurs Seminar March 2015

The first speaker of the day was introduced as Bernadette Rigney, and her talk was entitled “Knowing your Rights in the Workplace & the Ability to Live Life Fabulously”. Judging by her credentials, I had a strong suspicion that she would have something to say that I wanted to hear.

SAfm

20 January 2015

SAFM welcomes Fability to Cape Town. BERNADETTE RIGNEY, Director of fAbility Lifestyle Guide, a company committed to showing that Persons with Disabilities have the ability to live life fabulously.

Daily Sun

19 January 2015

Fability Cape Town. A company committed to showing that Persons with Disabilities have the ability to live life fabulously.

Indianspice

15 January 2015

Fability Seminar in Cape Town. A company committed to showing that Persons with Disabilities have the ability to live life fabulously.

Hashtag Radio

24 November 2014

Cavall Burgess interviews Bernadette Rigney on Hashtag Radio, they chat about Fability and Events lined up for 2015.

Radio Today

28 October 2014

Cavall Burgess and Bernadette Rigney invited a group of South African Celebrities and Change-makers to join them in a glamorous photoshoot to thank them for their contribution to South Africa.

Rolling Inspiration

September 2014

Bernadette Rigney challenged all employees of City Metros all over the country to participate in Casual Day by wearing their sticker and stepping out in style. As the former Transformation and Disability Awareness Officer, City of Johannesburg, she campaigned for the advancement for the rights of persons with disabilities.

Tygerburger

September 2014

Fability supports Casual Day.

Municipal Focus

September 2014

Bernadette Rigney, Transformation and Disability Awareness Officer at City of Johannesburg, is a Casual Day ambassador. The programme she serves is to provide inspiration and motivation to participants and beneficiaries, thereby driving sticker donations.

eTV

08 September 2014

Sunrise Interview

We discussed fAbility and supporting Casual Day. The Ability to live life Fabulously.

Radio Today

26 August 2014

Just the Way You Are … Celeste Vinassa, Bernadette Rigney & Terry-Ann Adams

The purpose of the Casual Day Ambassadors’ Programme is to provide inspiration and motivation to participants and beneficiaries, thereby driving sticker donations. Casual Day ambassadors create awareness by telling their own stories and their quest is for respect and acknowledgement for persons with disabilities. Casual Day ambassadors bring magic into the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

Greater Alex Today

13 August 2014

Supporting Casual Day with Nicole Laxton and Celeste Vinassa.

O Seculo De Joanesburgo

11 August 2014

Supporting Casual Day with Miss Portugal at the Sunshine Center in Elsburg, Germiston.

Radio Today

05 August 2014

MY World welcomes Casual Day Ambassadors Kashveera, Bernadette & Nicole By Cavallsworld

In the Loop

June 2014

The JSE welcomes the City of Joburg and Bernadette gets featured for service excellence.