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When 18-year Melbourne DJ Cooper Smith takes the main stage at this year’s Ability Fest, he’ll be communicating the best way he knows how – through music. “I absolutely love how it (DJ’ing) makes me and my audiences feel,” says Cooper. “I love bringing high energy and artistry to my gigs. "It just feels awesome that so many people are touched by my music.” Cooper will be beatmatching alongside more than 50 of Australia’s leading bands and DJs for the 4th Ability Fest on 25 March at Birrarung Marr, organized by the Dylan Alcott Foundation. He says he’s pumped to...

When her daughter Alyssa was born with Down syndrome, for Sydney mother Melissa Cotterill, the first steps as a family were the hardest. ‘When Alyssa was born, and she was diagnosed with Down syndrome, it was the fear of the unknown that scared me the most, but information and awareness are key factors to overcoming that fear.’ While still in hospital, a visit from a Down Syndrome (DS) NSW parent support worker helped ease Melissa’s fears. And it was DS NSW who encouraged Melissa to seek support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Alyssa, 16, has a range of...

For Sydney mother Julie Louden, the “saving grace” of support she received after the birth of daughter Bridie is a gift worth sharing. Marking World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March, Julie will be there for others, like they were for her, in the days, weeks, and years following Bridie’s birth. “Bridie was 7 days old when we were abruptly told she had Trisomy 21,” Julie said of Bridie, who’s now 17. “Fortunately, I had already been put in contact with a social worker due to the traumatic nature of Bridie’s birth and got the number for Down Syndrome NSW...

Finding mates can be hard for those on the autism spectrum, but a national website is helping neurodiverse people like Josh Mandis make lasting friendships. Josh, 24, from Baulkham Hills, is a NDIS participant who lives with autism. With World Autism Day on Sunday 2 April, Josh wants to tell his story of how he found a group of mates that have turned his life around. Josh’s mum, Elisa, helped find a social group called Mates That Matter (MTM), which posts regular meetups on The A List Hub, a website designed to connect people with autism in their local area...