Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) has received funding from the first round of the FundAbility grant program, a two-year disability inclusion initiative run by Northcott and funded by the Department of Family and Community Services.
The funding will be used to implement a disability inclusive music program which allows young people from the Central Coast region to have access to a fully supported music program that is all-inclusive for children aged nine to 15.
The sound lab will be a place for creative expression, musical collaboration, exploration and learning.
The program will provide first time musicians with autism and other disabilities together with young musicians, songwriters and performers, a safe place to get together under the mentorship of a professional musician
The participants will explore their love for fusing sounds and music together in a professional music venue and recording studio at The Youth Arts Warehouse.
The program was founded on the principle that all persons with disability should have the right to choose and pursue music making within a contemporary arts based context and have equitable access to resources to support them.
It will provide a fully supported contemporary music collaboration of children and young people, music practitioners and support staff to develop and implement a song writing program adapted to be accessed by all and partner with relevant services and Central Coast communities.
The Youth Arts Warehouse is an all access venue were creative skills development programs for young people are delivered each term.
Resources and new software for digital music allows students of any ability to participate and create something they will be proud of.
The Sound Lab creates music from the perspective that when it comes to the language of music (youth expression) we are all equals and all expression is valid.
Media release,
19 Jan 2015
Sharon Aldrick, RYSS