For people with disabilities, it can be hard to find spaces that accept and understand them for who they are. But one band in northeast Ohio celebrates those with disabilities and helps them thrive.

What You Need To Know

  • Rockability is a band made up of people with disabilities

  • Jennifer Gerber joined the band after a founder heard he perform the national anthem

  • The group does not require auditions but does expect members to have musical ability 

Jennifer Gerber said she's always loved to sing. 

“I guess you could say I'm a musical savant," she said. "I am mildly autistic. Ever since I was 2, I've always been, actually ever since probably the day I was born. I was always been super sensitive to sound and music and all that.”

For a long time after leaving school, Gerber said her only musical outlet was her church choir. But when local musician Lori Weber heard Gerber sing the national anthem at an event a few years ago, she was inspired. 

“I mean, this girl belted it out, and she sounded fantastic. And, my talent radar went up and I said, ‘whoa. I'd put her in my band any day.” Weber said.

Weber approached Gerber that day to ask if she was interested in joining a band, and Gerber responded with an enthusiastic yes. 

“So it was like the Blues Brothers, literally. I called up all my old friends from different bands and I'm like, Hey, I'm trying to put this project together,” Weber said.

Now, a little over two years later, Gerber is the lead singer of Rockability, a band made up of talented musicians with disabilities and musical mentors, like Annamaria Wolfe. 

Though Wolfe is considered a mentor to the group, she said she learns from the participants just as much as she mentors. 

“It's just a whole group of amazing people that I'm really happy to be a part of and privileged to be a part of,” Wolfe said

Rockability is an inclusive band, but they do require members to have some musical background and to audition for a spot. 

“You have to be able to play. And not only do you have to be able to play, you have to be able to play with other people, which means we can't be teaching you how to keep time. You have to already know that when you walk in,” Weber said.

The band now plays over 60 songs, mostly covers, and one original written by a mentor. They perform at events all over the region and are known to get a crowd going. 

Gerber said being a part of this band has allowed her to celebrate a side of herself that had been hidden for some time. 

“It's a dream come true. It's liberating. I've always wanted to be the front man of a band or stuff. It's great. It's so much fun. Yeah. I feel like I've found an inner part of myself. I finally get to release my inner talent and yeah, it's just awesome,” Gerber said.

Although the band does require auditions to join, they do offer an “Inside Circle” event on the third Monday of every month where people of all musical abilities are invited to jam with the band.